MAY 10, 2010 – The kids at Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville and Daniel Memorial won big at the 2010 Columbia Sportswear Kayak Fishing Classic as 430 kayak anglers raised over $42,000 for the local children’s charities and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The catch-photo-release charity event, run by JaxKayakFishing.com, is the world’s largest kayak fishing event for the fifth consecutive year.

The winners from the Jax Kayak Classic with tournament director Mike Kogan at left.

"We are thrilled to be associated with such a world-class event, and want to thank the kayak anglers, sponsors, and everyone that made the Classic happen for their generous support ", said Jeff Leach Board President, and Debbie Revels, Executive Director of DSAJ. Tournament director Mike Kogan stated, “Every year we are overwhelmed at the incredible turnout – even in these challenging economic times the surge in participation from the anglers and sponsors points to continued strong growth for kayak fishing and great community support.”

The 2010 Classic was led again by the title sponsorship of Columbia Sportswear. According to Columbia Sportwear VP of Global Sales Mitch Fields, “Events like the Classic are an ideal way for us to work with local charities in conservation-oriented outdoors activities while featuring our outdoors Performance Fishing Gear like the Superlight Blood & Guts apparel line.”

Columbia was joined by other industry leaders such as Ocean Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks, Wilderness Systems, Cobra Kayaks, Native Watersports, Pure Fishing, Costa Del Mar, and Accent Paddles. The Classic also pulled together all of Northeast Florida’s kayak and fishing retailers led by Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, and Dick's Sporting Goods to name just a few of the over 90 sponsors. Kogan said, “The great efforts of our volunteers and the kayak fishing community combined with the generosity of our terrific sponsors continue to make the Classic an unqualified success. This year we had over 150 anglers travel from around the country including a huge contingent from Texas and even a group from England as well.”

Ryan Conner of Fernandina Beach, FL claimed the top prize in the Hobie Kayaks slam division, winning a fully-rigged Hobie Mirage Pro Angler fishing kayak. He fished near Fernandina Beach in Ryan’s Creek en route to his 60.1-inch winning slam, which consisted of a 30-inch red, a 17.1-inch trout, and a 13-inch flounder. Conner was closely followed by a cadre of Jacksonville anglers including fly angler Troy James with 58.6 inches, Chris Fricker with 57.8 inches, Alex Crotzer with 57.1, and senior angler Dan Arvin with 55.8.

Adam Boyd of Jacksonville won the Ocean Kayaks trout division with a 26.5-inch trout on a day when the trout bite was challenging. Top redfish honors went to tournament newcomer Larry Wagner of Jacksonville with a 30-inch red and he scored a Malibu Stealth kayak. Leading the way in the Emotion Kayaks flounder category was 14 year-old Luke Shaw of Palm Valley with a 19.2-inch flattie. Another highlight of the flounder division was seeing nine year-old Jessica Parker take third place with a 17.6-inch flounder.

Luke Shaw was also the Emotion Kayaks Junior Angler and Melita Ganoe won the Blue Storm Lady Angler award. Dan Arvin took Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Senior Angler honors and Troy James won the Black Fly Outfitter Fly Angler and placed second overall using fly tackle only.

For more results and information about next year's Classic visit Jacksonville's kayak fishing community at www.jaxkayakfishing.com.