Ok guys, so the speculations can be put to rest, here is An update released by Rich Ofner regarding the status of the BCC
The Future Of The Border City ClassicBORDER CITY CLASSIC·FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018
We started the BCC back in 2011 to provide an event in Southwestern Ontario that will attract new kayak anglers to the sport. The first couple years we provided kayaks on behalf of Pelee Wings for people that wanted to fish the event and did not have a kayak.
In 2014 the BCC became a Hobie Worlds Qualifier when Kyle Moxon became the first BCC representative to participate in the Hobie Fishing Worlds. He represented very well finishing 2nd in the Netherlands at the 4th Hobie Fishing World Championships.
In 2015 the last year of our one day format we had approximately 130 Anglers attempt to fish in gale force winds and through three accumulative inches of rain.
The format was changed in 2016 to a two day event.
The Recreation Division was added in 2017 with 10 registering added to 88 in the competitive
In 2018 for the first time there was more American registration than Canadian.
It has been a pleasure putting together the BCC each of the last eight years, seeing it grow from 27 anglers the first year to what it has become today. There are no regrets to any of the changes over the years and for 2019 the opportunity arose to have the BCC become part of a larger Elite Series that will be hosted in Michigan on Lake St. Clair, June 29th and 30th. That left the regular opening weekend for zone 19 Bass Season in Ontario, June 22nd. The Ontario Kayak Bass Trail will hold an event on that day hosted out of the Riverside Sportsmen Club. This will give options for all former BCC participants to choose to do either the one day OKBT event, two day Hobie BOS event the following weekend, or both. After a successful inaugural year of the OKBT, it was an obvious choice to take up the void of a Windsor hosted event on LSC.
It will be safe to assume that the Hobie BOS Open LSC Event on June 29th, and 30th will;
Include fishing in both American and Canadian water
allow three hours to report in Michigan from lines out of water
top American and Canadian Angler will qualify for the Hobie Worlds.
With the sport of kayak fishing growing at the rate it is and the amount of events that are available to both the recreation and competitive tournament angler, I feel that these changes are beneficial to continue to grow the sport and cater to all levels of experience.
More details to follow in coming months for both the Hobie Bass Open Series and the Ontario Kayak Bass Trail events on Lake St. Clair .
I would like to thank Hobie for their continued support of the BCC for the past six years, and commitment to continue an elite event on LSC, all the anglers that have helped to make the event successful and to my wife Julie, who has provided not only her moral support but helping with judging, registration, and going out and taking the awesome pictures of each of the BCC events, both on the water and off. Please take the time to look over the Photo Libraries on the BCC Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BorderCityClassic/photos/?tab=albumsSincerely
Richard Ofner
