Seagulls screeched and waves crashed as hundreds of young fishers cast their lines from the Seal Beach Pier for the 33rd Annual Fishing Derby. The event, founded by the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos, Cypress and Seal Beach, has drawn support from several community organizations over the years, including the Lions Club, Leos and Los
Alamitos High School’s Interact club.
The Fishing Derby began at 7 a.m, while the local Department of Fish and Wildlife began registering participants. The Seal Beach Lions Club opened up the event’s pancake breakfast, with help from several Los Alamitos High School students volunteering through the Leos Club.
“I’m at the plate
section, but we have everyone else stationed at the table, just making sure the customers are having a great time,” said five year member and Vice President of Leos Club, LAHS sophomore Tristan Carvajal.
Out on the pier, the Department of Fish and Wildlife loaned fishing equipment and demonstrated to first-time fishers how to use it. Long Beach City Coordinator Brian Young has been helping with the event for nearly 20
years.
“It’s one of the only programs the department has that we actually come out to the communities and provide opportunities to recreate at the community level,” Young said.
Once a participant caught a fish, they would bring it to be weighed before releasing it back into the ocean. The LAHS Interact Club provided volunteer students to help cut bait, weigh the fish and
keep derby records.
“My favorite part, personally, is connecting with my community,” Interact Club Junior Co-President Adrian Lopez said. “I just get to see everyone enjoying themselves, having a good time. I think it’s really important for us to be together as a community.”...read more here.
Temporary closures of on and off ramps, especially at night (9 PM to 5
AM)
Where does it come
from?
