Super Successful Clam Slam Festival Ends with a Bang
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
August 6, 2012
Cape Charles Harbor Master Smitty Dize was tired but happy Sunday evening as he counted up ticket proceeds for the just-completed Boat Docking Contest — the grand finale of a very successful weekend comprising the Town’s first Clam Slam Festival.
Some 800 tickets were sold for Sunday’s boat docking competition which drew watermen and their friends and families from up and down the Shore. Nine boats competed this year — a 50 percent increase over last year. Proceeds go to pay the cash prizes, plus $300 to each boat to help cover fuel costs.
It was the success of the first boat docking contest last year that inspired Dize to expand Harbor events to fill a full weekend, including a Shriners Parade, marching band, and car show on Saturday.
Boat dock competitions are wildly popular on the Shore, with Crisfield, Maryland, having one of the largest. But Dize was happy with the Cape Charles crowd and nine boats — big enough to give a good show, but not so large as to drag on interminably on a hot afternoon.
Three local boats competed: Jay B, Three Brothers, and The Pound Netter.
Master of Ceremonies was the popular Erik “Flea” Emily.
Watch the 5-minute Wave video above, and then read more to see the list of winners.
Most boats competed four times — two heats with a single operator manning the helm and tossing lines, and two heats with a crew to tie up.
Boats also were divided into into three classes: small (30-38 feet), large (above 38 feet), and wood or steel.
First place in each division won $1,000; second place, $500, and third place, $250.
The winner of the “Shootout” received the $260 proceeds from the auction of a T-shirt autographed by all the competitors.
2012 Cape Charles Clam Slam Boat Docking Contest Results
Teams (with Crew)
1. Fabricator
2. Belinda Jean
3. Elaina Scott
4. Heather Nicole II
5. The Pound Netter
6. Jay B
7. Jordan Lynn
8. Three Brothers
Single Operator — Small boats
1. Fabricator
2. Belinda Jean
3. Heather Nicole II
Single Operator — Large boats
1. Elaina Scott
2. Jay B (with Tim the father)
3. Jay B (with Scott the son)
Single Operator (Wood or Steel Hull)
1. Jordan Lynn
2. The Pound Netter
3. Island Pride
4. Three Brothers
Shootout
1. Heather Nicole II
2. Fabricator
3. Elaina Scott
4. Belinda Jean
Securing lines is just as important as working the throttle. (Wave photo)
This is awesome. My first time seeing live video in a newspaper! And what a crowd! This event attracted quite a crowd to Cape Charles. Think of the economic infusion! Hope you are promoting the Cape Charles Wave in some clever way at events like this or cross-promoting somehow.