01-16-2011, 12:10 PM
The First Annual UPSAC/IGFA Goleta Pier Youth Angler Tournament was held on an old wooden pier over the Pacific Ocean on October 16th in the beautiful Goleta Beach County Park and Pier in Santa Barbara County, CA. The surroundings were both first class and family friendly.
The participants were local youth, which included a large contingency of Cub Scouts from the Los Padres Council of BSA, along with forty-two parents, and fourteen enthusiastic volunteers from United Pier and Shore Anglers of California. Representing UPSAC was President Ken Jones, Vice President Robert Gardner, Treasurer James Liu, Secretary Brian Linebarger, and Board members Hashem Nahid, Eugene Kim and Boyd Grant (also manager of the Goleta Pier Angler Center). Representing Santa Barbara County was Supervisor Janet Wolf and County Parks Deputy Director Erik Axelson. Representing NOAA and their Ethical Angler Program was Marty Golden. Representing West Marine was Ben Eggli. Representing the Oceanside Bait & Tackle shop was Pam and Ed Gonsalves.
The sponsors were United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and NOAA (and its Ethical Angling Program).
After introductions and a short presentation on Ethical Angling by Marty Golden, the youngsters fished for three hours, followed by Supervisor Wolf presenting the raffle prizes. Each participant received a prize. Companies that contributed gifts included the Channel Islands Sportfishing (Oxnard), Stardust Sportfishing (Santa Barbara), Beachside Café (Goleta), West Marine (Santa Barbara), The Tidepool (Cayucos), Fish Taco Chronicles magazine, Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine and NOAA.
Loaner outfits were provided by IGFA for those without tackle. Free bait and terminal tackle was provided by UPSAC. Both organizations supplied lunch. Saturday morning the UPSAC crew split into groups, some cutting bait, some rigging the rods and reels, and some prepping the food for lunch. Lunch was served while the prizes were divided up awaiting the presentation at the unique Goleta Pier Angler Center (the only such center on California's 120+ public piers).
The age division winners were announced based upon the fish caught. Each winner won a rod and reel, a copy of Pier Fishing in California, and an impressive certificate from IGFA. The winners were: Six Year Old -Conner Acuna; Seven Year Old-Ethan Bresk; Eight Year-Nikolas Valenti; Nine Year Old-a tie-Andrew Bresk and Nicholas Colaneri; Ten Year Old-Ian Taver; Thirteen Year Old-Josh Acuna; Fourteen Year Old-Duncan Stewart.
Everyone agreed that the tournament was a success and the organizers vowed that next year the event will be even bigger and better.
Media Contact
Gary Graham<br />
760 522-3710<br />
garyg@gcg-co.com
The participants were local youth, which included a large contingency of Cub Scouts from the Los Padres Council of BSA, along with forty-two parents, and fourteen enthusiastic volunteers from United Pier and Shore Anglers of California. Representing UPSAC was President Ken Jones, Vice President Robert Gardner, Treasurer James Liu, Secretary Brian Linebarger, and Board members Hashem Nahid, Eugene Kim and Boyd Grant (also manager of the Goleta Pier Angler Center). Representing Santa Barbara County was Supervisor Janet Wolf and County Parks Deputy Director Erik Axelson. Representing NOAA and their Ethical Angler Program was Marty Golden. Representing West Marine was Ben Eggli. Representing the Oceanside Bait & Tackle shop was Pam and Ed Gonsalves.
The sponsors were United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and NOAA (and its Ethical Angling Program).
After introductions and a short presentation on Ethical Angling by Marty Golden, the youngsters fished for three hours, followed by Supervisor Wolf presenting the raffle prizes. Each participant received a prize. Companies that contributed gifts included the Channel Islands Sportfishing (Oxnard), Stardust Sportfishing (Santa Barbara), Beachside Café (Goleta), West Marine (Santa Barbara), The Tidepool (Cayucos), Fish Taco Chronicles magazine, Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine and NOAA.
Loaner outfits were provided by IGFA for those without tackle. Free bait and terminal tackle was provided by UPSAC. Both organizations supplied lunch. Saturday morning the UPSAC crew split into groups, some cutting bait, some rigging the rods and reels, and some prepping the food for lunch. Lunch was served while the prizes were divided up awaiting the presentation at the unique Goleta Pier Angler Center (the only such center on California's 120+ public piers).
The age division winners were announced based upon the fish caught. Each winner won a rod and reel, a copy of Pier Fishing in California, and an impressive certificate from IGFA. The winners were: Six Year Old -Conner Acuna; Seven Year Old-Ethan Bresk; Eight Year-Nikolas Valenti; Nine Year Old-a tie-Andrew Bresk and Nicholas Colaneri; Ten Year Old-Ian Taver; Thirteen Year Old-Josh Acuna; Fourteen Year Old-Duncan Stewart.
Everyone agreed that the tournament was a success and the organizers vowed that next year the event will be even bigger and better.
Media Contact
Gary Graham<br />
760 522-3710<br />
garyg@gcg-co.com