The 24th annual Venice Police Department Shark Tooth Fishing Tournament hit a new high Thursday, with 38 athletes from The Haven, 27 boat captains, and dozens of volunteers gathering at Crow’s Nest Marina. It was the biggest edition of the event yet, and it ended the way it always does: lunch, awards, and a giant inflatable shark head welcoming everyone back to shore.
The tournament started in 2002 with a straightforward mission, giving athletes with special needs the joy of a day out on the water. Corporal Paul Joyce, who has been involved for about 14 years, says the athletes have become like family and they’re always out there catching fish. His wife Tabitha organizes the event and secures sponsors like Sea Tow Venice, while volunteers including Venice Fire Rescue’s Derek Lowery keep the day running smoothly. As Joyce puts it, the goal is making sure every single athlete comes back with a fish story.
Next year marks the tournament’s 25th anniversary, and organizers are already looking for boat captains, sponsors, and volunteers to help make it the biggest one yet. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a Suncoast tradition that puts smiles first, this is the one. Know someone with a boat who’d make a great captain? Let us know in the comments.
