Observer Program Training Dates Set

The date for the USC Certified Observer Training has been scheduled for April 9th, 2011 from 9am to 1pm at the Laishley Park Meeting Room located at Laishly Marina in downtown Punta Gorda.

For anyone interested in learning more about what this important and exciting role in the Ultimate Shark Challenge requires or if you're ready to apply, the observer application can be viewed, downloaded and submitted here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

For those who have already applied, we appreciate you doing so. As we draw closer to the training date, we'll be providing additional information about what to expect and how to prepare for the session.

2011 USC Observer Program Underway

The Certified GH-USC Observer Program is one of the critical components that distinguish this Next Generation Shark-Release Tournament as the innovative leader and credible standout of the industry. Our mission to combine the goals of sport, science and conservation would not be met without it, and the bottom line is you won't find another hands-on program like this anywhere in the sporting world. Along with our partners and volunteers, we're proud to be the ones keeping this important leading edge in responsible competitive angling sharp and effective.

That brings us to the matter at hand. We'd like to thank all those who stepped up to be trained and certified as our first graduating class of USC Observers in 2010. We've already heard from many of you that we'll see you again in 2011. With the tournament expanding this year, we're happy to have you back, along with those of you interested in joining us for the first time.

We're also pleased to have Dr. Bob Hueter and the Mote Center for Shark Research staff on board again as our chief science and research partners. Among the many important contributions made by them is the expert training they assist us in providing to all our observer applicants. Without a doubt, the training is world class and second to none.

For anyone interested in learning more about what this important and exciting role requires or if you're ready to apply, the observer application can be viewed, downloaded and submitted here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

In the meantime, all the best. We look forward to seeing you soon ...
GH-USC Creators & Directors: Sean Paxton, Brooks Paxton II, Captain Robert Moore

2011 Team Entries Now Open!

We'd like to welcome back our teams from 2010, along with all the new teams taking on the 2nd Annual Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge. For your convenience, we've just opened up tournament entry forms and submissions online.

PHOTO: L-R: Bob Hueter, Sean Paxton, 2010 1st Place Winners of Team Pole Dancer (Zack Gerzeny & Capt. Wayne Nichols), Brooks Paxton II, Capt. Robert Moore

This link, will provide you the options of viewing, downloading, submitting or requesting entry forms. You'll also be provided with several payment options to secure your spot in this year's competition.

Keep in mind that all entries forms and fees will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis, and the time of payment also marks your start position for the the first day of competition.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you in Punta Gorda and on the water this May 13 - 15th! As always, stay tuned to UltimateSharkChallenge.com for all the latest news and updates.

Entry Form Dowload Page

PHOTO: 2010 Grand Championship Teams & Directors. L-R Front: Bob Hueter, Capt. Mike Manis, Capt. Jay Withers, Zack Gerzeny, Sean Paxton, Capt. Wayne Nichols, Brooks Paxton II, Capt. Robert Moore. L-R Back: Thomas Burt, David McQuade, Capt. Jimmy Willis, Capt. Bucky Dennis, William Deluna, Richard Proceszyn.

PHOTO FROM VIDEO: Team RedZone in action on Tampa Bay in 2010. L - R: Jay Withers, preparing to conventionally tag a 6 foot, 6" male bull shark, while Mike Manis secures the fish with an Aftco tail snare, and USC Certified Observer, Robert Lugiewicz maintains control of the head. This catch & release would help Team Red Zone land 2nd Place overall. Named 'Red Zone' by the team, it would also be successfully satellite tagged by the Mote Center for Shark Research.

2011 USC Event Announced

We are pleased and excited to announce the 2011 Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge will be held the weekend of May 13th-15th, 2011 out of Laishley Crab House at Laishley Park in downtown Punta Gorda, Fl. This recently renovated location will provide the USC, competing anglers, observers, our sponsors and partners with all the necessary logistical needs, such as the new Laishley Marina and several options for lodging located next to Laishley Park. We are also excited about our plans for a public festival during the weekend to bring even more attention to the event and its participants.

Here are a few additional details we can share with you at this time. Please stay tuned to www.UltimateSharkChallenge.com for all further developments.

- The Captains Meeting and kickoff party on the 13th will be followed by 2 days of fishing (May 14 & 15) with no qualifying round so teams need to bring their A game. There will be an elimination based on standings after day one.

- Entry fee will be $950 and we are allowing the option of 3-man teams.

- Team entry and Observer applications will be made available on the website.

- Observer training dates will be designed to help accommodate schedules.

There's already a lot of excitement out there about this 2nd annual event, and we look forward to making it even bigger and better this time around.

Till then, all the best to you and yours and Happy New Year!

Capt. Robert Moore
Sean Paxton
Brooks Paxton II
Directors: The Ultimate Shark Challenge

New Tournament Preview Video

New promo footage and a much-requested encore presentation of the Ultimate Shark Challenge as featured by Kerry Sanders on the NBC Nightly News can be viewed below. Congratulations again to all our teams, and a special thanks to our partners and sponsors for making this landmark event possible! Stay tuned for further developments.