Official 2015 Oregon Rockfish Classic Announcment

I don't care about a new kayak, or winning for that matter.  The ORC is just a great event to attend.

I don't care about a new kayak, or winning for that matter.  The ORC is just a great event to attend.

+1 It's just fun to be on the water with so many other people that love the sport as much as I do. The food is top notch, too!

I and the rest of the staff are very glad to hear that from you guys.  Hopefully this ywar we can make this one of the best ORC ever

I don't care about a new kayak, or winning for that matter.  The ORC is just a great event to attend.

+1 It's just fun to be on the water with so many other people that love the sport as much as I do. The food is top notch, too!

I'll offer a bit different of a perspective:

I agree that it's a great event regardless of prizes, etc., but a new kayak was a pretty good motivator for me to take this seriously and compete hard. If we want to just organize a $50 raffle with a BBQ on a day where people can fish if they want to that's a bit different than a fishing tournament.

Also I already used the "new Hobie kayak" hook to try to get several people to come. It's a pretty tangible way to communicate that it's a real event.

I don't care about a new kayak, or winning for that matter.  The ORC is just a great event to attend.

+1 It's just fun to be on the water with so many other people that love the sport as much as I do. The food is top notch, too!

I'll offer a bit different of a perspective:

I agree that it's a great event regardless of prizes, etc., but a new kayak was a pretty good motivator for me to take this seriously and compete hard. If we want to just organize a $50 raffle with a BBQ on a day where people can fish if they want to that's a bit different than a fishing tournament.

Also I already used the "new Hobie kayak" hook to try to get several people to come. It's a pretty tangible way to communicate that it's a real event.

I like my hook it's simple, elegant, classic " it's for H.O.W." Unsure of I can make Orc this year but I will say last year was my first tournament and I had a freakin blast.

Oatis Approves of this Ninkasi Sponsorship

Looks like Oatis has a birthday coming up. Congrats Lee on a good looking pup.

There are some issues surrounding giving away a boat from a marketing and sales perspective- It is a huge trend nation wide that boats that are given away end up for sale and hurting dealers. 

With this said, we may not be giving away a boat but I personally would take seriously for the other available prizes.  1000.00 fishfinder or the other prizes we will have is a good win for a 50.00 entry that is a benefit event.  Captains bags alone are generally worth entry.  For these reasons among others the planning group has decided that a boat isnt always the best prize.

There are some issues surrounding giving away a boat from a marketing and sales perspective- It is a huge trend nation wide that boats that are given away end up for sale and hurting dealers. 

I've always wondered why that is an issue.  Aren't the marketing effects mostly centered around the exposure due to the tourney itself, not what the winner does with the kayak after the fact.

-Allen

I will attend this event because it's the ORC, and associated with NorthWest Kayak Anglers.  If it wasn't for NWKA there would be no ORC.  Certainly not the tournament so many have come to look forward to over the years.  As the tournament has grown some things have changed but it's always been an event where I could meet up with site admin, see old friends, and pretend to compete with some of the "pros" out there. 

Somehow statements including stuff like A team decision, From a marketing and sales perspective, and The planning group has decided leave me a little flat.  I personally prefer the non corporate side of life.  It just feels different.

What I wouldn't give for 13 participants standing on the beach pondering a surf launch and an Ocean Kayak waiting as first prize.  Now THAT was an ORC, and it felt right -

Alan

I will attend this event because it's the ORC, and associated with NorthWest Kayak Anglers.  If it wasn't for NWKA there would be no ORC.  Certainly not the tournament so many have come to look forward to over the years.  As the tournament has grown some things have changed but it's always been an event where I could meet up with site admin, see old friends, and pretend to compete with some of the "pros" out there. 

Somehow statements including stuff like A team decision, From a marketing and sales perspective, and The planning group has decided leave me a little flat.  I personally prefer the non corporate side of life.  It just feels different.


Alan

+1

Well said AMB.  Couldn't agree more. 

What's the difference between winning a dealer donated boat and selling it for the cash, or winning a $1000 fish finder that will probably end up being sold as well?   I know I don't need a new fish finder, PFD, paddle or even a new kayak.   

I will attend this event because it's the ORC, and associated with NorthWest Kayak Anglers.  If it wasn't for NWKA there would be no ORC.  Certainly not the tournament so many have come to look forward to over the years.  As the tournament has grown some things have changed but it's always been an event where I could meet up with site admin, see old friends, and pretend to compete with some of the "pros" out there. 

Somehow statements including stuff like A team decision, From a marketing and sales perspective, and The planning group has decided leave me a little flat.  I personally prefer the non corporate side of life.  It just feels different.

What I wouldn't give for 13 participants standing on the beach pondering a surf launch and an Ocean Kayak waiting as first prize.  Now THAT was an ORC, and it felt right -

Alan

Alan let me attempt to clear up what I mean as far as the team decision and the Marketing/Sales side of this. 

The ORC is an event held in its own and supported by sponsors. The decision to not give away a boat is one made by the largest sponsor of the event, Next Adventure.  Next not only provides prizes but also tons of man-hours and resources to ensure that this tournament is successful and that everybody has a memorable experience.  The decision to skip the boat was also aided by the opinions of the folks who have planned this event in the last few years who felt that giving away a kayak is not necessary for everybody to have a great time and support HOW and Neighbors for Kids.

I am 100% about community and benefit events having been burnt out early in the Tournament crazy in San Diego.  The sponsors we are bringing on board understand this and are giving some awesome gear so that everybody can come on out to have fun, support the charities, and maybe even take something cool home.  My goal having taken lead on the planning of this event is to make sure everybody has a great time, a memorable and safe experience, and that we support the charities to the best of our ability.  Chinook Showdown is a great example of this type of event.  While fishing was not great and we didnt give away a kayak I heard nothing but great things about the experience of the event.  This is what I want to see- great community events with the added bonus of some great giveaways from our gracious sponsors.

 Unfortunately when events do grow to the size of ORC there do have to be planning groups to ensure that everybody has a great time and that we stay within the legal bounds.  This core group that is doing planning all want what is best for the community and the event and sometimes have to make decisions that not everybody agrees with.  This is not an event where Next or other sponsors are looking to put cash in their pockets directly- it is to help community building and growing the sport in our region.


I hope this helps to put my perspective on events out there and I am always wanting to hear from those who have opinions, thoughts, suggestions, etc both good and bad.  Please feel free to reach to me directly through PM or email any time- I am happy to hear folks out and take their opinions into consideration as all I want is to see this community grow stronger.

+1

Well said AMB.  Couldn't agree more. 

What's the difference between winning a dealer donated boat and selling it for the cash, or winning a $1000 fish finder that will probably end up being sold as well?   I know I don't need a new fish finder, PFD, paddle or even a new kayak.

The biggest difference in this example is that these prizes are being provided by the manufactures themselves, not by the Dealers supporting the events.  The Marketing departments of these sponsors giving gear feel that it is a good path to take just as the marketing side of Next feels it is a good path to support in other ways rather than give away a boat.  If Hobie or any other manufacture came to the table with a boat to give away then we would be giving away a kayak however unfortunately this is not the case which makes the current top prize Raymarine's contributions.

There has always been a sentiment among a select group that has been against giving boats away at tournaments.   There has also been a majority of participants that love the idea of winning a boat.  It's gonna leave a bad taste in lots of peoples mouths,  but we'll all still come,  because it's the ORC.  Can't really bitch too much though,  the entry fees go to charity and NA paid for the boat in the first place.

The tournament is fun just for the competition. But the kayak was a good motivation for me who can't afford a movie kayak like that. Last year was my first time ocean kayaking and everyone was super nice. Hope it stays that way no matter what.

I'm not there for the boat. It was a nice touch, but I'm mostly there for the stories and camaraderie... and the dinner. Oh, Sweet Baby Cheeses! Let there be a dinner!

Fred "True" Trujillo