PRESS RELEASE: 12th Annual Tofino Saltwater Classic Fundraiser Fishing Derby Pulls In $75,000 for Youth and Community Programs
Event’s Total Funds Raised to Date Exceed $725,000
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada, July 11, 2022 – Former National Hockey League (NHL) player Brendan Morrison today announced that the past weekend’s Tofino Saltwater Classic Fishing Derby fundraiser event, held for the 12th year in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, raised more than $75,000 — bringing the total amount raised since the event’s inception to more than $725,000. All proceeds from the derby and its associated events are donated to Tofino community beneficiaries, with the bulk of funds going to support the Wickaninnish School PAC Healthy Food and Literacy Programs.
The 2022 Tofino Saltwater Classic welcomed more than 70 anglers from around British Columbia and beyond to participate in the catch-and-release tournament portion of the event. Only measured and released fish were considered for Chinook prizes, while retained and weighed halibut could also be entered. The catch-record-release component of the derby was made possible with Angler’s Atlas’ MyCatch app which uses uploaded photos and video to record, verify and track entries.
Winners and prizes were:
First Place Chinook (97.8cm) Chris Clement – Prize $5,000
Second Place Chinook (94.9cm) Megan Fraser – Prize $2,500
Third Place Chinook (94.3cm) Ron Morrison – Prize $1,500
Top Halibut (74.6 lbs/133cm) Jeff Berry – Prize $1,500
“After a couple of years of being hesitant about putting on any kind of event, this year’s Tofino Saltwater Classic had the ‘let’s go all out for the community’ vibe that it had in previous years,” said Tofino Saltwater Classic founder, Brendan Morrison. “From our outstanding volunteer crew, to the many supporting local business, to generous private donators, to the energetic derby participants, this year’s event had all the makings of a truly fabulous fundraiser for the Tofino community beneficiaries who have depended on us for more than a dozen years.”
Keeping with tradition, the Tofino Saltwater Classic series of events kicked off with a ball hockey game for kids of all ages hosted by Brendan Morrison at Tofino’s Wickaninnish School – one of the largest beneficiaries of the fundraiser. More than fifty children, youth, and their families participated in the game and were then treated to an array of nutritious snacks provided by the Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary Guild.
In addition to participant registration fees, the 2022 Tofino Saltwater Classic raised funds at silent and live auctions, and by private donations from Tofino residents and business owners from around the province. Dates for the 2022 Tofino Saltwater Classic will be announced later this year.
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 have supported 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
- St. Francis of Assisi Women’s Support Program
- Community Children's Centre
- Tofino Volunteer Fire Department
- Tofino Community School Program
Media Contact: Lynda Kaye, Kaye Public Relations for the Tofino Saltwater Classic
lynda@kayepr.com p: 250.266.5293