Official 2015 Oregon Rockfish Classic Announcment

This will be my first ORC and really looking forward to it. The prizes don't matter to me. I do like competition as a change from my usual laid back fishing but it is really about hanging out and meeting new people and fishing new places. As I prepare for this event, I would like to know if it is a surf launch and is there a sand portage. Thanks in advance. Scott

scott, its an easy launch from a boat ramp into a small harbor and then a short paddle/peddle out to the ocean, don`t forget ur radio and on channel 80 annouce ur going outbound or when coming in  to annouce ur inbound.
mark

to get to it as ur driving south just on the south side of the hwy 101 bridge at depoe bay take first left at the gas station and go down the hill, parking and ramp are there.

 where is the registration for the event at??   i needs to commit.

Registration should go live this week.  Little different system than last year and should make easier on all parties we hope.

Link will be posted as soon as it is up.  Thanks for your patience!

siebler, I appreciate that you're taking the time to address the questions/concerns people have. While I might not agree with the decisions or reasoning, just the fact that someone is publicly willing to respond on the forum seems like a Good Thing.

Thanks!

FYI for those of you staying at Chinook Bend for the event.  They are set and expecting us and will be offering the 20% discount for the weekend.  Sounds like a few folks have already called- they are excited to have the group down there again this year!

Registration should be up this week- we will post when it is.

As for no qualifier- The qualifying aspect of this event didn't really do anything for the anglers already attending- only for those who really want to fish the Worlds.  It was a team decision between previous organizers, Myself and the other NA Staff to not offer this as a Qualifier this year in hopes that it doesn't limit participation from brands other than Hobie.  The kayak given away at the prior years events is not a Hobie donation but a donation from Next Adventure.  Our decision to not give a boat away this year is not effected at all by our decision to not make this a Qualifier.

With that said, previous sponsors are stepping it up and new sponsors including Raymarine and NRS are coming on board heavily to ensure that we have a great event.  There will be plenty of surprises and also announcements about sponsors on the ORC Facebook page.

 Thank-you for taking the reins on organizing ORC this year CJ. I figure that respondsability must come with your new position as Kayak Fishing Manager at NA .None of us "commoners" know about all the work that goes into such a project. And welcome to the Pacific Northwest. Hope you are liking it more than San Diego in the short time you've been here.
 To most members of NWKA-- ORC is about the biggest event of the year. I have only been 4 years so far and have had an excellent time every year. As several folks have already said-- the camaraderie with other kayakers, the meeting people and putting names to faces , the actual competition against other fishers, and the outstanding eats make this event a premier time for all. Looking forward to doing it again.
 I'd like to question a few of the statements and some comments you have made in this thread so far.
 The registration will go up to $50 dollars this year ?
 Will the format of heaviest fish being the grand prize winner still be the same as in the past ?
 Are there other changes coming that we should be looking for ?

 Now onto the fact of no kayak as 1st prize this year..........
 That has always been a serious motivator for a lot of people going to ORC. What a person does with it after winning shouldn't matter . They won fair and square. As to giving away a boat hurting a manufacturer or dealer--- I disagree. Giving away any product for promotion gets their product out in the public more and generates enthusiasm from whoever won the product who will in turn share their support for that product with friends and family. In 2013 my family bought 4 kayaks from Next Adventure as well as a lot of accessories that added up to a few dollars. So I really don't believe dealers or manufacturers are damaged . It can be a great marketing and sales tactic if handled correctly. Besides the tax write off.
 All of us appreciate the effort , time, and inventory that Next Adventure puts into ORC. It wouldn't be the same without their work. I do wonder if other kayak companies have been or were solicited for a boat for ORC. It hasn't always been Hobie.....and I have to say it is the "best prize" for a fishing contest , a new kayak this is.  Not all our members can afford a brand new kayak . Nor are all of us sponsored and able to get a new kayak every year at cost or for free. It is great to have Raymarine and NRS on board . We can always appreciate new offers from a variety of producers. And with CJ's history with them they are a welcome addition.
 Maybe as a way to help HOW , we/the organizers could raffle off a new kayak and make money for them selling tickets. Love to help community organizations-- we all do. Might want to re-think that whole idea. I don't know if that is within the "legal bounds" but am sure that information could be found out.
 I do have different feelings going in to ORC this year. I will still try to make it there to re-unite with old friends and make new ones. You said you wanted input..... now you have a small bit of mine.

Mark, absolutely we have solicited other kayak manufactures in fact before i was even in place at Next i had already started doing this as manufactures generally close out budgets by October of the previous year.  For 2016 we will be ahead of the game in asking the manufactures however for 2015 we were too late for them and at the current time giving away a boat is not something that Next as the primary sponsor is looking to do, and with the amount of man hours and resources they are putting out of pocket it is unfair to expect them to do so.  While we could in theory purchase the boat out of entry fees, most do agree we would rather see that money go to HOW who really needs it at the current time.

As for other changes- possibly in the future but we certainly dont want this event to change off of what has made it so well known.  Any changes you see will be moreso in the amount of good stuff the anglers are receiving with entry.  Nothing major and nothing that will effect the heart and soul of the event.  We hope that you will all bear with us on any changes and attend the event to support the community and the charities benefited.

Anyone planning/wanting to share a space with someone. I just need a spot to hang up my hammock. If anyone is interested let me know. I'm not sure how spendy the spots are.

The spots were about $19 a night for a tent site. I can't remember the policy on extra vehicles/site?

Oatis Approves of this Ninkasi Sponsorship

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

+1

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.

+1

I think Lauren is right: having a kayak as a prize adds to the excitement. I also agree with Allen. I find it hard to believe that donating a kayak to this event detracts from dealer profits very much. My guess is that the advertising value & potential tax write off would more than make up for the cost of the yak. I agree that it would be great if a manufacturer would step up with a kayak that an experienced yak angler would want to keep & fish with.

This is an NWKA event. Several NWKA members have donated quite a bit of time & effort to make this get-together a success in previous years & that's why it's grown. Were the hours that members put in "unfair" to them?

The ORC isn't that far off. Has anyone from NA followed up with Ninkasi yet? It would be a good idea to either get on it asap or delegate a responsible volunteer (like me, for example).

Why is the entry fee going up? If it's all for charity, I'd like to know exactly what the % for charity is going to be.

siebler - I can appreciate how much work this is & I'll respect your opinion, but I think the rational so far is a little weak on logic & evidence. I think some of us will feel a little more comfortable when we see how much is going to which charities as well as sign-up documents, a list of rules, sponsors, prizes, & what's in the Bag.

Respectfully,
Paul

We will certainly give hard numbers on donations and all when they come.about after the event.  We have actually been building a stronger relationship with Neighbors for Kids and several of us are takjng a trip to the coast and the facility coming up.  Also I feel a very strong connection to HOW as i did found and coordinate the SoCal chapter prior to moving here and in my time doing so raised over 40k through benefit events.  I want nothing kore than for this years ORC and future to continue to support these awesome charities and to bring a community of kayak fishermen together.

The beer follow up was dkne through the online form and other sponsors are signing on.  Please watch the Facebook page for updates- they have been limited and i appologize for that however we are getting more specific commitments as we draw closer and will continue to put this information up there.

I appreciate everyone's input and support, i expect that however you feel about the event after its over that i will hear about it.  And I want nothing more than exactly that as this is your event and i am only here to help ensure it goes great for everybody.

Ninkasi is in the works! There will be beer!
Registration is ready to go live, just waiting for the web team to post it up on Monday

Description and schedule is updated now! If anyone is interested in volunteering their time at the event or in it's planning please shoot me an email at [email protected]
Thanks,
Tanner