Committeemen Aaron Schleich and Geoff Robins with the main prize boat at last year’s Weipa Fishing Classic.
THE odds of winning a new boat at the Weipa Fishing Classic have doubled with four vessels up for grabs next month.
Tickets have started selling and president Aaron Schleich said they would once again be in hot demand.
“The team at Cavs Marine & Outdoor are legends,” he said.
“They look after us so well. I know a lot of people have a wait to get a new boat but we’ve got four up for grabs this year.”
Three of the boats will form the top three prizes in the major raffle, while the fourth will come from a side raffle.
“We are getting back to our pre-COVID arrangements slowly with a top 25 this year,” Mr Schleich said.
“It used to be a top 30 and in 2020 we did a top 20 and then last year had a top 20 and surprised three people to make it 23.
“While the last two events have been great, being back in June is where we want to be and the whole committee has worked hard in a short period of time to make it happen.”
Fishing guru Mark Berg will MC this year’s Weipa Fishing Classic, which will again be live streamed.
“We want to get it back to that town show kind of feel,” Mr Schleich said.
“We want to get the stall holders back and we’ll have the jumping castles and inflatables returning.”
For the first time, the Weipa Fishing Classic is selling tickets through an online system, although only for non-Weipa residents.
“It has been requested for a while now and we are going to take it slowly. The proviso on the out-of-towner ticket is you can’t have a proxy. We want those people who are buying tickets to be there on the weekend,” Mr Schleich said.
Tony George Entertainment has been booked for Saturday and Sunday night, while the committee is still firming up entertainment arrangements for the opening night on Friday, June 10.
“There are still a few things we are keeping up our sleeve,” Mr Schleich said.
Tickets have been kept the same price in 2022, with a keyring costing $65 to gain entry into the main raffle.
