Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association Fishing Tournament – Virginia Beach, Virginia
27 September 2008
The Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association held their 4th Annual “Fish for Charity” Kayak Fishing Tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia on 27 September. Cory Routh, the founder of the TKAA, and Wayne Bradby, this year’s tournament coordinator, invited PHWFF anglers back to participate in another round of kayak fishing. For a second year in a row, the TKAA generously donated the proceeds of the tournament to Project Healing Waters.
In addition to tournament proceeds and contributions from benevolent individuals, PHWFF received four Freedom Hawk kayaks. Two of the Kayaks were donated by David Cameron, the president of Freedom Hawk Kayaks, Inc. in Brighton, Michigan. The other two kayaks were donated by Frank Bandy of Tar River Paddle Sports in North Carolina, Cory Routh, owner of Ruthless Fishing, and an anonymous TKAA member.
This year, the wounded angler team consisted of warriors from various PHWFF programs in the National Capitol region. SGT Bob Williams represented the Walter Reed program, although he is conducting his rehab near his Norfolk-based unit. SGT David Walker and SSG Jack “Pappy” Cormack traveled from the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. One of PHWFF’s charter anglers, Cpl Bill Johnston, and his son, Buck, traveled from their home in Pennsylvania. We were all kept in line by Chief Colburn.
Friday evening, we attended the captains’ meeting to register for the tournament. This year, we were not the only fly fishers. Early Saturday morning, we convoyed to Rudee Inlet to meet Dave Cameron, Cory and Larry Routh, and their team of volunteers. On the way to Rudee the skies cut loose with a furious rain storm. Warriors are not repelled by inclement weather. Within minutes we were soaked to the bone. Luckily for us fish don’t mind the rain! As we geared up to fish, Dave, Cory and his team helped us get situated with the kayaks. Once again, we anglers launched into the picturesque inlet in hunt of fatty saltwater fish. The weather was bearable. Fortunately, there was no wind to disrupt casting.
I was the only angler with upper extremity injuries. I was able to use one of Cory’s foot-powered kayaks, similar to the Hobie kayak we used last year. Bill, Bob, David and Pappy were able to test out the Freedom Hawk kayaks, which proved effective vessels for wounded anglers based on their unique design for increased balance and stabilization. The use of Kayaks has allowed warriors with lower extremity and back injuries to move independently while fishing. Additionally, kayaks allow anglers to fish more areas to which they normally would not have access.
The fishing was tough this year. I was skunked, which is not entirely unusual for me! Bill fared as well as I did, but he was satisfied with paddling aimlessly around the inlet with Buck. Bob, Pappy and David were on the board before lunch. David Walker won the Wounded Warrior Division of the tournament with a 10-inch speckled trout! We vowed last year that PHWFF would be back with a vengeance!
The skies cleared around mid-day. Our biological lunch clocks were triggered immediately. Cory provided pizza for the crew. The warriors also enjoyed snack bags, provided by Kristen Sturgeon from the 82nd Airborne Division Wounded Warrior Program. We paddled and fished for a few more hours before securing our gear and heading back to the Lake Wright Convention Center in Norfolk to turn in our scorecards. That evening, we were given a hero’s welcome. We enjoyed a delicious dinner while participating in the awards ceremony.
The warriors and volunteers of Project Healing Waters would like to express their sincere appreciation to Chad Hoover, TKAA President, Cory and Larry Routh, Wayne Bradby, David Cameron, Frank Bandy, and the kayak anglers of the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association for their generous contributions to PHWFF. Their support will help PHWFF’s mission of helping those who serve. We are honored by the TKAA’s dedication to support our nation’s warfighters.
Eivind Forseth
PHWFF Project Coordinator
