2009 So-Cal Picasso Open

We were up at 4:45am Saturday morning, eager to drive to San Pedro Park and begin checking people in for the Tournament. Some early birds started showing up around 6:00, even though check in was scheduled for 6:30. As we began checking people in, you could feel the excitement and anticipation as the divers signed waivers and looked over the tournament rules. By 7:00 all divers had checked in and drove off to their predetermined dive spots eager to start shooting fish.

While the divers were hunting for trophy fish, we set up the weigh station, prize tables, picked up the catered sandwiches, and set out a large quantity of Rockstar’s, Gatorade, and water. After everything was set up, we proceeded to play a couple hands of cards while waiting for the competitors to start returning from their dives. Around 1:00 some of the first divers started to show up. As soon as a diver returned, Greg and Rene would begin weighing and measuring the fish, while Vanessa wrote down the results, and I took pictures of the diver with his/her catch (for tournament pictures please see our “Gallery”). After each diver had their catch weighed and recorded, Vanessa tallied up the scores and Greg posted the results on the whiteboard.

After everyone had eaten and drank their fill of sandwiches and Rockstars, it was time to announce the winners. Roy McDennon took first place with a score of 52.45 and picked up a beautiful pair of Picasso Carbon fins. Kelsey Albert took top women’s place with a score of 42.45 and shot a potential World Record Sheephead. Mike Pender had the biggest fish, a 27lb Sheephead, and took 2nd place with a score of 44.75. Each competitor walked away with at least one prize, although most walked away with a Rockstar prize, and a Picasso prize. Thanks to Phil DiRocco and Rockstar, were able to provide additional Rockstar prizes such as shirts, trucker hats, and flat billed hats. After we completed the raffle, the crowd began dissipating and it was time for us to clean up, pack up, and begin the 8 hour drive back to Sacramento.