OP Chamber to host annual flounder tournament Aug. 5

quite a number.

There are also a few scholarships which are granted through the OCSC. Various other programs, such as the Junior Beach Patrol and the Surf Into Integrity Program, which is connected with Stephen Decatur Middle School, are all part of the surf club.

Year-round activities are a hallmark of the OCSC. The Junior Beach Patrol is a summer activity. The Surf Into Integrity is a fall activity in conjunction with Stephen Decatur Middle School. There is even a winter pool party at an Ocean Pines covered pool location.

There is an absolute connection with the OCSC and the Ocean City Beach Patrol, or surfers and lifeguards in general.

In past times it wasn’t always like this. These days, surfers can be considered lifeguards in early morning and/or late evening hours, whereas lifeguards, in their 10 to 35 shifts, are just that.

My thought has always been that there is a good, really common, connection between lifeguards and surfers. A lot of lifeguards are surfers as well.

(June 23, 2023) The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host its 16th annual Flounder Tournament and Auction on Saturday, Aug. 5.

The weigh-in and auction will take place at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club and Marina from noon to 430 p.m.

This is the largest Maryland coastal flounder tournament and will feature an expected purse of over $8,000.

“Our region gets tournament fever

Thus the OCSC and OCBP have a strong bond between and among themselves and each other. It doesn’t take a high intelligence quotient person to figure this out, or even a low IQ one for that matter.

At any rate, there’s quite a culture in this area for water oriented people. Whether it’s OCSC, OCBP, separate or together, we’ve come a long way toward mutual understanding.

Hopefully, all of this will continue with safe swimming and safe surfing as a top priority.

Never turn your back on the ocean, as the saying goes, and all of us will be better off if we can heed those words.

— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City every summer, especially the first week in August,” Ocean Pines Chamber President Kerrie Bunting, said. “We are the little guy tournament. [It’s] a great day on the water and a chance to win big without breaking your bank to enter.”

Registration is $55 per angler or $50 each when registering more than one. Calcuttas are available for $20 per angler.

The longest flounder brought in by any angler 13 or under wins $100 and is also eligible for the main cash prizes. Register before noon on Aug. 4. Collectable T-shirts are free for the first 250 registered.

Sponsorships are available and organizers are seeking donations for the auction, which will be held during the weigh-in.

For tournament rules, to register as a sponsor or angler, visit https://business.oceanpineschamber.org/events/details/16th-annualflounder-tournament-14865.

The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce is a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit corporation comprised of area businesses organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the area so that its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper.