Oregon Coast Tuna Overflows at Garibaldi Event This Weekend

Published 08/14/25 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Garibaldi, Oregon) – This weekend will be a rager for those who love Oregon coast seafood.

The Oregon Tuna Classic (OTC) returns to Garibaldi on August 15–16 to celebrate its 20th anniversary, bringing together anglers, sponsors, and coastal residents for a weekend of competitive fishing and charitable giving. The event, which began in 2005 as the “I Fish for Food Tuna Tournament,” has grown into one of the West Coast’s most loved charitable fishing competitions and now serves as an exclusive invitational for the Offshore World Championship.

“From our very first tournament, the goal has always been bigger than fishing,” said John Stanfield, President of the OTC Board. “This event is about feeding families, supporting our neighbors, and showing the power of a community that comes together on and off the water. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come in 20 years — growing from a small group of anglers into a major event with more than 40 teams competing, a vibrant community presence, and a mission that continues to inspire. We’re proud to create an experience that celebrates both the sport and the spirit of giving.”

Each summer, top anglers from across the Pacific Northwest compete for honors while donating their catch to help feed families along the Oregon coast. Last year’s tournament generated thousands of pounds of fresh albacore tuna and significant financial contributions to local causes. Kati Duffy, Community Philanthropy Developer at Oregon Food Bank, underscored the importance of the event’s impact.

“Fresh, high-quality protein is one of our most needed items, and the opportunity to share locally-caught tuna with our community is unmatched,” Duffy said. “The tuna provided through Oregon Tuna Classic goes directly to families along the Oregon Coast, delivering food that is fresh, nourishing, and local. We are strongest when we connect with and support each other, and Oregon Tuna Classic truly embodies the power of our Oregon community.”

This year’s tournament will feature 49 registered teams. On Saturday, August 16, a shotgun start will send boats offshore to compete for the five heaviest albacore of the day. Spectators are invited to Captain’s Corner on both Friday and Saturday afternoons to watch the official weigh-ins, meet the crews, and take part in the excitement. The weekend concludes Saturday evening with an awards ceremony and fundraiser benefiting OTC’s partner organizations.

Schooner Creek Boat Works, the event’s title sponsor, is helping mark the milestone. “As a company rooted in the marine community, supporting the Oregon Tuna Classic was a natural fit for us,” said Pascal Le Guilly, General Manager of Schooner Creek Boat Works. “This tournament is more than a competition — it’s about camaraderie, tradition, and giving back to the coastal communities we all cherish.”

Since its founding, the Oregon Tuna Classic has donated the equivalent of more than 1 million pounds of food and over $1 million in cash to the Oregon Food Bank and Ducks Unlimited. These contributions support hunger relief, wildlife habitat conservation, and economic vitality along Oregon’s coast.

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