Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 196

Wahoo and Crew, 2018
Best Junior Angler, 2018
Saba Day
Trophy
Wahoo Tournament
In 1991, a group of Sabans
invited fishermen friends
from Sint Maarten to
participate in a fishing
tournament on Saba for the
Saba Day Weekend. This
was the birth of the Saba
Day Wahoo Tournament.
It became an annual event,
initially intended for Saba and
Sint Maarten participants.
In the mid-2000s, due to
the time and committment
necessary to host this
event, none was held, but in
2013, Saba Commissioner
of Culture, Bruce Zagers,
initiated its comeback and,
since then, the Tournament
continues to be a huge
success each year.
In 2015, the Saba Rock Sport
Fishing Foundation, a non-
profit, completely volunteer-
run organization was formed
with a dynamic, hard-
working, team who are now
the official organizers of this
highly successful event. The
Tournament continues to be
an annual fishing event that
now attracts fishermen from
across the Caribbean.
It is held on the first Saturday
in December.
In 2016, a record-breaking
28 boats competed with
representation from Saba,
Dutch Sint Maarten, French
St .Martin, Sint Eustatius, St.
Kitts, Nevis and St. Barths.
Subsequent years saw
growing participation and
despite the havoc the islands
experienced in 2017 at the
hands of Hurricanes Irma
and Maria, remarkably the
event attracted 21 boats
that year with a total of 100
participants.
There are attractive cash
prizes to be won, plus other
prizes of fishing paraphernalia
and gift certificates. Winners
also receive beautiful trophies
designed and made in San
Salvador.
The organizers depend on
financial support through
donations to uphold the
success rate of the event,.
The Saba Day Wahoo
Tournament is another
reason to visit Saba. Put it on
your calendar - it happens
every year in December
as part of the Saba Day
Weekend of activities.
Dolphin
“To say that our Tournament has
grown significantly over the years is an
understatement, and we must continue.”
Tabetha Hassell
President, Saba Rock Sport Fishing Foundation