Oregon Tuna Classic Sets Records in 2009 2

The books are closed on the 2009 season for the Oregon Tuna Classic. The upside down economy had the organizers wondering if they’d see a decrease in participants and sponsors as they worked diligently through the spring making final preparations for the first event in Newport on July 18th. 

 That question was answered by a record number of participants that exceeded well over 1,400 people involved in this past summer’s events. Allstate agents Ron Brockmann along with Dennis Pendley, from Corvallis Oregon, were the title sponsors while Shimano, G.Loomis, Daiwa, The Mill Casino and Coast 105 Radio anchored the sponsorships with a combined $65,000 in donations between just the top six. That generosity and support carried over to another 81 sponsors making it another record year with sponsorships.

The popularity generated from past events drew teams from Montana, Idaho, California, Washington and Oregon. To witness the energy and excitement from 500 people setting inside one of those big tents this year is contagious and you can really see the heart of a fishermen when it comes to helping those in need. People are still talking about the impressive line of boats that slowly worked their way out of the port of Ilwaco in the dark, it looked like a Christmas boat parade. That sight was witnessed again, a few weeks later, when over 100 spectators gathered in the dark standing on the north jetting and watched the boats come out of Garibaldi. They couldn’t see the flare start due to the fog that moved in on the beach but they could hear the tremendous roar of engines as everyone raced offshore to their favorite fishing spot. 

To say these events grew this year would almost be an understatement. Today, the Oregon Tuna Classic is the fastest growing charitable fishing tournament on the west coast. When registrations started pouring in the organizers were forced to rent three very large tents capable of handling 500-600 people. People were coming out of the woodwork to volunteer because they wanted to be a part of the excitement. Some Sponsors jumped in at times and gave more than their donations as witnessed by the guys from Weldcraft Boats who were there just to watch but got caught up in all the excitement and the next thing you knew they were helping to unload fish and help with whatever else was needed.

The growth of these events is starting to bring much needed economic benefits to the communities visited by the armada of fishermen, volunteers and spectators. Businesses in Ilwaco saw record sales for the year while Garibaldi City Manager John O’leary speculates the Oregon Tuna Classic might rival the annual Garibaldi days in generating business.

The original purpose of the Oregon Tuna Classic, OTC as many call it, was to provide a forum for fishermen to have a little friendly competition, catch albacore and donate it to the local food bank. This past summer those fishermen gave coastal food banks 18,600 pounds of tuna in addition to the economic aid from just visiting their communities. Since 2005, over 44,300 pounds of tuna and $103,000 has been donated to the Oregon Food Bank. The OTC’s donation helped the Oregon Food bank purchase six pounds of food for every dollar donated, equivalent to a contribution weight of over 662,300 pounds of food.

Dates have been set for the 2010 summer events, plans are being made and sponsors are being contacted to again get ready for another season. With the continued support of volunteers and sponsors alike, the OTC will continue the fight against hunger bringing its armada of fishermen and spectators into these communities. Thank you for your support and involvement in 2009. 

Del Stephens
OTC Chairman