The Weipa Fishing Classic is the region’s most iconic annual event, providing event partners and sponsors with a unique and significant opportunity to promote their products and services into the region and to a large contingent of visiting sport fishing and four wheel drive tourists from intra- and interstate.

The 2008 Weipa QantasLink Fishing Classic was staged on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June. Kicking off on Friday night was the official opening and reading of the rules, along with on-stage entertainment. The event concluded on Sunday night with the presentations and major prize draw of a SeaJay 4.4m Escape Sports Boat fitted with a Yamaha motor on a Dunbier Trailer. Local Weipa resident, Tia Batterham, was the lucky winner.

The event would not succeed without the dedicated support of its sponsors. The response was overwhelming and appreciated, and Cape York Fishing Classic Inc congratulates QantasLink on successfully gaining the 2008 naming rights sponsorship. We would also like to acknowledge all our sponsors who came on board for this year’s event, including those who have set up a display on the grounds or travelled to Weipa specifically for the event.

This year’s event attracted over 1100 competitors, with an average nightly crowd of 2500 attending the event on each of the three nights. It had total sponsorship equating to over $80,000 in prizes to competitors.

The entertainment was endless, with the opening night performance from Women in Docs, and from local Weipa performers and dance schools throughout the weekend.

The event is solely run for community benefit, with approximately $20,000 to be distributed to Weipa community groups, and local sporting clubs and associations, including the SES (Weipa). The Western Cape College Weipa P&C raised approximately $25,000, which directly benefits the students of the Weipa campus.

Planning for 2009 has already commenced with the date set for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (5-8 June 2009). The plan for 2009 is to incorporate a Weipa Lifestyle Expo where sponsors, local and away, are encouraged to set up displays and demonstrations, similar to the pavilions at the major shows.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Classic, please see our website (www.weipafishingclassic.com ), or call one of our organisers Zig (0428 652688) or Luke (0427 083604). –WFC