Sea Isle City’s 2011 Special Olympics Crabbing Tournament Is Aug. 22

SEA ISLE CITY – There’s truly something “special” about Sea Isle City’s Annual Special Olympics competition – it’s the love and camaraderie that is shared between the people who organize the event and the many Olympians who participate each year.
Sponsored by the Sea Isle City Italian American Club and hosted by the members of the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City and the Townsend Inlet Yacht Club, the 22nd Annual Joe Distasio & Joe Romano, Sr. Special Olympics Crabbing Tournament will take place on the morning of August 22. The event will welcome a variety of developmentally-disabled Olympians from the region, who will catch crabs along the docks of both yacht clubs. While some participants are trying to “land the big one,” others will be enjoying boat rides with Yacht Club members.
After the crabbing tournament, the Olympians will enjoy an Awards Luncheon at KIX-McNutley’s on 63rd Street. At that time, Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio will present several trophies to the event’s winners, including an award for the largest crab caught and the “most unusual” catch of the day.
This year, in addition to participants from several organizations in the area that support developmentally-disabled residents, other individual participants are also invited to enter the Special Olympics. Local residents not associated with a sponsoring agency who would like to compete in the event should obtain a medical waiver from the Sea Isle City Recreation Department, 6108 Central Avenue, which must be completed by a family physician and returned to the Recreation Department by August 19. On the day of the crabbing tournament, those participants will be assisted by the members of the Catholic Daughters of Sea Isle City. There is no fee to participate in the 2011 Joe Distasio & Joe Romano, Sr. Special Olympics Crabbing Tournament and all nearby residents with developmental disabilities are invited to participate.
“We are very grateful for the community support this event receives, including from local business owners such as Butch Romano from Marie’s Seafood,” said Coordinator Dan Otto. “This event is only a success because of the contributions and efforts from many people.”
To make a contribution or learn more about the 2011 Joe Distasio & Joe Romano, Sr. Special Olympics Crabbing Tournament, phone (609) 263-0700. Donations for the event can be mailed directly to 117 54th Street, Sea Isle City, NJ, 08243.