Anglers To Cast Their Lines To Help Make-A-Wish Foundation

Join The Fun At The 18th Annual Tuna Challenge 2007

SAN DIEGO – On Sept 29, , at the 18th annual Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge, fishing enthusiasts will cast their lines in and around the waters of San Diego.  The event is hosted by Silver Gate Yacht Club and the Kona Kai Anglers and benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to grant wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego’s largest fundraiser, the Tuna Challenge, will help to fund 25 percent of the wishes this year!

Since 1991, the Tuna Challenge has grown to be the largest tuna fishing tournament in the continental United States.

The tournament held at the Silver Gate Yacht Club, 2091 Shelter Island Drive, will host hundreds of anglers and their guests. Last year, 614 anglers participated in the tournament, on 128 private boats and two sport boats, raising an unprecedented $301,000.

Preview Of Highlights

• Grand Prize Raffle, Two Chances to Win! 

  Special Grand Raffle Prize Package Valued at Over $40,000 – An 18-foot Parker boat (#1801), Yamaha 115hp 4 stroke engine, Pacific Galvanized trailer, complete electronics package from West Marine, custom T-top from Mariner Enterprises, professionally rigged by Sundance Marine.

  Second Grand Raffle Prize Package Valued At $9,000 – A Zodiac Yachtline YL340, 11’ 2” RIB, Tohatsu 15hp 4 stroke engine, 15” shaft electric start with uni-helm seat and console, steering and throttle control, B & M EC 600 Trailer2nd Grand Raffle Prize Package Valued At $9,000 includes a Zodiac Yachtline YL340.

• Other raffle prizes include gigantic amounts of fishing gear, boat equipment and fishing tackle, dinners, beauty and spa gifts, theater tickets and many more in between.

• Don’t own your own boat? No problem!
  You will be paired up with a boat at the pre-tournament Fishing Seminar.

Important Dates

• Thursday, Sept. 6: FREE Tuna Fishing Seminar, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 28: Captains’ Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 29: Fishing Competition, 5 a.m.

• Sunday, Sept. 30: Awards Banquet and Auction, 10 a.m.

Anglers can register at www.tunachallenge.org. Entry fees are $75 for adults and $25 for juniors; fees will go up after Sept. 7. Entry fee includes tournament t-shirt, tickets to the gala banquet on Oct. 1, and admission to the pre-tournament tuna fishing seminar on Sept. 8.

About Wishes

Local “wish kids” will also be at the event and can be interviewed about their wishes. Also, Make-A-Wish spokespersons will be available to answer any questions or comments on the event or the foundation.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its inception in 1983, the San Diego chapter of Make-A-Wish has granted more than 1,800 wishes.

 To learn more about the organization, please visit www.wishsandiego.org, or call (858) 707-WISH (9474).