10th Annual Blue Water Fishing Classic Offers Up To $20,000 in Cash Prizes
Proceeds Provide Fishing Scholarships for Miami-Dade Youth
Amateur, professional, and junior anglers will compete for up to $20,000 in cash prizes at the 10th Annual Blue Water Fishing Classic presented by Westrec, on Saturday, June 1, 2013, beginning at 7 a.m. The tournament, hosted by Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, in partnership with The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade and generous sponsors, launches from all six Miami-Dade Parks marinas: Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park, Black Point, Crandon Park, Herbert Hoover at Homestead Bayfront Park, Matheson Hammock and Pelican Harbor.
The three-day event kicks off on Thursday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m. with dinner, open bar and silent auction at the Captain's Party at Fairways on the Key at the beautiful Crandon Golf Course. Then, it's off to the competition on Saturday, June 1. The event concludes as anglers return to Fairways on the Key for the awards ceremony and celebration on Sunday, June 2, at 6:00 p.m. where winners will receive their prizes and enjoy more food, fun and music.
The Grand Prize winners will be determined by the combined weight of the three largest fish within the species of dolphin, wahoo, blackfin tuna and kingfish. Returning again this year is the Dolphin Challenge for the team with the largest dolphin, and a Mayor's Challenge for Miami-Dade County employees. In total, there are 20 ways to win!
Cash prizes are awarded as follows: one $5,000 Grand Prize; one $1,500 Lady Angler Grand Prize; one $1,000 Mayor's Challenge Prize; one $1,500 Dolphin Challenge 1st place largest Dolphin Prize; $1,500 1st Place Marina Prize award at each weigh-in site; $750 2nd Place Marina Prize award at each weigh-in site; $250 3rd Place Marina Prize award at each weigh-in site; $100 1st Place Junior Angler Marina Prize award at each weigh-in site. Junior anglers must be 12 years old and younger.
The entry fee is $350 per boat through May 14, and $400 from May 15 through the day of the tournament. Boat Entry includes: four anglers, four tournament shirts, captain's bag with other prizes/gifts, and four tickets to the Captains Party and the Awards Celebration. Net proceeds from the tournament provide after school and summer camp scholarships for disadvantaged children in Miami-Dade.
Sponsors include: Westrec Marinas, Shoreline Foundation, Inc., River Marine Supply, Kiewit, IAFF Local 1403, Sea Tow, Captain Harry's Fishing Supply, El Capitan Marine and Fishing Center, Kelley Fleet, Loggerhead Marina, Therapy IV, Marini and Associates, PA Tax Attorneys, Awesome Boat Service, Southeast Total Marine, The Miracle League of Miami-Dade, Fish Florida, The International Game Fish Association, NOAA Fisheries, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For more information or to register, please visit www.bluewaterfishingclassic.com or call (305) 665-5475. Applications are also available at any of the six Miami-Dade County marinas.
About Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's effort to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.