SPEED AND HALF SHELL OYSTER SHUCKING
The center-piece of the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships and Washington State Seafood Festival (AKA OysterFest) is the Oyster Shucking contests. On Saturday the shuckers go for Speed and Sunday is the Half Shell (presentation) shucking. There are 7 heats each day and the final heat determines who will win the PACIFIC RIM OYSTER OPEN SPEED SHUCKING and/or PACIFIC RIM OYSTER OPEN HALF SHELL shucking titles.
Each day the shucking commences at 11am and continues every hour on the hour with the final heat being the championship match-up. The shucking tables in the viewing arena are arranged in a slight U-shape facing the grand stands. These stands are 30 to 50 feet away and also in a U-shape configuration. The shuckers competing in the finals are there because they had the best times and best judged oysters. And they are fast!
The Winner and 2nd and 3rd places receive cash prizes and a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. A gold medal is also awarded to the contestant with the Best Presentation. Cash prizes and medals are also awarded in Saturday’s Speed Shucking event. The names of the Gold Medal Winners of the Half Shell, Speed and Presentation competitions are automatically placed in the OysterFest Shucking Hall of Fame.
RESULTS OF 2009 SHUCKING COMPETITION:
Saturday Speed Shucking: Sunday Half Shell Shucking:
1st Place: Guadalupe Leon Goose Point Oysters 1st Place: Miriel Silva Jolly Roger Seafood
2nd Place: Miriel Silva Jolly Roger Seafood 2nd Place: Sean Beyo Hog Island Oyster Co.
3rd Place: Alejandro Leon Goose Point Oysters 3rd Place: Dionisio Leon Goose Point Oysters
4th Place: Marcos Mendoza Jolly Roger Seafood 4th Place: Fidel Mendoza Jolly Roger Seafood
5th Place: Francisco Leon 5th Place: Hector Rodriquez Taylor Shellfish Co.
6th Place: Dionisio Leon Goose Point Oysters 6th Place: Oliver Gray