Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic Raises $15,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America Heritage Fund

Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic Raises $15,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America Heritage Fund

Local Boat Captains and Network Executives Team Up with Paralyzed Vets in Fourth Annual Sailfish Tournament

ISLAMORADA, Fla., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Outdoor Channel, America's Leader in Outdoor TV, today announced the fundraising success of its fourth annual Offshore Classic held January 14 - 16, 2008 in Islamorada, Florida. Contributions totaled $15,000 -- up from $10,000 last year -- and will be used for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Heritage Fund to maximize the quality of life for its veteran members and others with spinal cord injury or disease.

The sailfish tournament provides an opportunity for outdoorsmen to help raise money while catching fish alongside members of the PVA. Just how many sailfish catch and releases does it take to raise $15,000? Details are below. Outdoor Channel is the only national television network working to benefit the PVA Heritage Fund.

"Outdoor Channel is dedicated to promoting access to the great outdoors," said Outdoor Channel Senior Vice President of Marketing and Research Denise Conroy-Galley. "These true American heroes have fought for our privilege to be outdoors, and giving back to them is an honor. It was very fulfilling for us to host this event and fish side by side with many of the direct beneficiaries of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Heritage Fund."

Sixty-seven anglers boarded 19 local charter boats with some of the best captains in the Florida Keys, hoping the cool breeze was a positive sign for a good sailfish bite. The first fish of the tournament was released just 18 minutes after lines were dropped into the water at 8:00 AM, and by noon there were 24 releases on the scoreboard. The "Caribsea" took a quick lead at 9:04 AM with three fish, but by 1:00 PM the "Predator", with Captain Augie Wampler of Islamorada, had five releases with veterans James Whitlock of Newhan, Georgia and Steve Springer of Potomac, Missouri. Fishing lines were out of the water at 4:00 PM with a total of 50 sailfish caught and released between the 19 boats.

Day two began with a flurry of hook-ups and releases. By noon, there were already 45 releases for the 19 boats, and the "Caribsea" was holding onto a very slim lead with nine releases for the two-day total. Fishing lines were out of the water at 3:00 PM, and a total of 91 sailfish were released, with an impressive two-day total of 141.

The tourney winner was the "Which Way" with 15 releases. Anglers were Robert Southand, Howard Soltz, Robert Southand Jr. and Captain Glenn Morgan. The second place team was the "Predator" with 12 releases. Anglers were James Whitlock, Ryan Graney, Jace Badia, Steve Springer, Captain Augie Wampler and crewman Erik Ehlers. The third place team was "Caribsea" with 12 releases. Anglers were Becky Hester, T.J. Hopson, Geoffrey Campbell, Benny Spaulding and Kenny Spaulding.

For photos or more information about the Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic, contact Erica Chouinard at (310) 784-1040 or erica@bobgoldpr.com.

About Outdoor Channel

Outdoor Channel is America's leader in outdoor TV, offering programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, Western lifestyle, off-road motorsports, adventure and other outdoor lifestyles. The network can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition and video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic new broadband web site (http://www.outdoorchannel.tv/). Outdoor Channel is a wholly owned subsidiary of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OUTD). For more information about Outdoor Channel, please visit http://www.outdoorchannel.com/.

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Source: Outdoor Channel

CONTACT: Erica Chouinard of Bob Gold & Associates, +1-310-784-1040,
cell, +1-310-872-8016, erica@bobgoldpr.com, for Outdoor Channel

Web site:

http://www.outdoorchannel.com/
http://www.outdoorchannel.tv/

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