Tofino Saltwater Classic Returns in 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
11th Tofino Saltwater Classic Fundraiser Fishing Derby Slated For July 10-11, 2021
Popular Community Event Adapts Itinerary, Implements Catch-Photo-Release Technology Platform
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada, June 1, 2021– Following a one-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Tofino Saltwater Classic fundraiser, which has netted more than $500,000 to support a variety of Tofino community initiatives, today announced that the 2021 event will be held from July 10‑11, 2021 in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
“After relying on the Tofino Saltwater Classic for more than a decade, our beneficiaries were negatively affected by the absence of the derby last year,” said Tofino Saltwater Classic founder, Brendan Morrison. “As things begin to return to normal, we are making some changes so that we can come together again as a fishing community to raise funds for local Tofino initiatives with the focus on youth programs and salmon enhancement.”
Though the 2021 Tofino Saltwater Classic will forego its usual meet-and-greet and group dinner events, the derby will welcome regional anglers who compete for cash prizes as they have in previous years. In 2019, the derby transitioned to a catch-and-release format for Chinook prizes, and will adopt the same approach this year. A cash prize will also be awarded for the largest, legally-caught halibut.
“A catch-and-release derby format takes concerns about diminishing local salmon stocks in the Clayoquot Sound watershed into consideration while still allowing anglers to engage in a fun and competitive fundraiser,” continued Morrison. “As we did in 2019, we will be implementing specific fishing zones, and this year we are partnering with Angler’s Atlas to implement their “My Catch” catch-photo-release app which revolutionizes the process of measuring and entering fish in the derby.”
In addition to the revised weekend itinerary, the 2021 Tofino Saltwater Classic’s silent and live auction will move online. Registration for the event is now open here.
About the Tofino Saltwater Classic www.tofinosaltwaterclassic.com
The Tofino Saltwater Classic fishing derby was created by former National Hockey League (NHL) player Brendan Morrison as a community fundraiser. Since its inception in 2009, the Tofino Saltwater Classic has raised funds via the event’s registration fees and silent auction, coupled with private donations from Tofino residents and business owners from around the province and across North America. All proceeds from the derby support Tofino community initiatives including:
- Wickaninnish Community School PAC Healthy Food Program
- Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society
- Tofino Hospital Foundation
- Tofino Recreation Commission
- Westcoast Multiplex Society
- Raincoast Education Society
- Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Society
- Tofino Legion Branch 65
- St. Francis of Assisi Women’s Support Program
- Community Children's Centre
- Tofino Volunteer Fire Department
- Tofino Community School Program
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Media Contact
Lynda Kaye, Kaye Public Relations for the Tofino Saltwater Classic
e: lynda@kayepr.com p: 250.266.5293