BY: Lori Griffith- Oct. 26th
The 4th Annual Chase N’ Tailz fishing tournament took place Sept. 30, after being rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma.
The hugely popular and prestigious tournament was created by Jay and Summer Warren in their son Chase’ name after losing him at 10 months old to Gaucher Type 2 Disease.
Through Chase N’ Tailz, the Warrens have helped numerous children and funded critical research, creating an everlasting legacy in Chase’s name.
‘An amazing little boy ‘
“Chase was an amazing little boy that will forever be our love story and inspiration. He was courageous, funny and so very sweet. He would light up the room with his gummy smile and wild laugh!” Summer Warren said.
“Chase died at 10 months old — Aug 7, 2013 — from Gaucher Type 2 — we did not receive a diagnosis until two days after he died — a fatal neurological disease similar to ALS except in infants.
“There is no treatment or cure, fatal by age two. Children start to lose all their abilities, muscle tone, vision, hearing, bones start to form abnormalities and eventually the ability to breathe. Gaucher Type 2 is cunning and deadly in every single case. It is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Warren said.
“Creating Chase N’ Tailz ensures Chase will never be forgotten.”
Mike Edwards, Lonnie Gordon and Jeremy Lund of Team: New Wave Kitboarding (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
Q/A with Summer Warren:
“Chase N’ Tailz has grown to be one of the best tournaments in Florida. How does that feel?
“We couldn’t be more proud of our tournament’s success and the communities support. Our team works ten months out of the year to bring one of the best tournaments in the southeast. We go above and beyond to make sure Chase N’ Tailz stands out from the rest, from our food to our trophies. We have teams that have never fished a tournament to professionals, and each year they both are on the leader board.
“Our goal has always been to create a fun, competitive tournament where teams create lasting memories while raising funds for local children’s charities in Chase’s memory. A grieving parent’s worst fear is their child will be forgotten, Chase N’ Tailz ensures that will never happen while helping so many other families.”
Bob Strawbecker, Bobby Redmond, Danny Cecilia and Chuck took part. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
This is your second year at Harbourside Place due to outgrowing the beautiful Guanabanas, how is the new venue?
“Harbourside Place has been nothing short of amazing to work with. They are extremely accommodating, easy to work with and very generous. It’s gorgeous, spacious and has all the aspects we look for in a venue. We couldn’t be happier with our relationship with them.”
Hurricane Irma cancelled the original date of your tournament, did that affect turnout?
“Hurricane Irma certainly threw a wrench in things, but how can we complain when so many others have lost so much?
“Rescheduling a large event with so many moving parts is quite a feat but Harbourside, Tommy Bahama, Calaveras Cantina and The Wyndham Grand made it as smooth as possible. Some teams weren’t able to fish our new dates while it gave other new teams time to register. All in all we are very proud of our turnout of 140 boats.”
Chase N’ Tailz is not only a fishing tournament, but an end of summer festival with something for everyone. How did that all transpire?
“We wanted children, wives and families to enjoy our tournament without having to fish it. We have a water slide, games, face painting, vendors, car show, food, drinks, music and our tournament weigh-in live on stage.
“The kids love it!”
The hugely popular and prestigious Chase N’ Tailz tournament was created by Jay, pictured, and Summer Warren in their son Chase’ name after losing him at 10 months old to Gaucher Type 2 Disease. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
What’s next for Chase N’ Tailz?
“We are very excited for next year and our future.
“We will be changing our structure next year by working with local agencies and nonprofits to find three local families that we can donate directly to. We want to relieve their financial stress, buy any medical devices necessary or send them on a much needed vacation. Stay tuned because its going to be amazing!
“This year we were blown away by our teams generosity! We had four teams donate their winnings back to Chase N’ Tailz, which shows just how much they really believe in our cause.”
Chris Thomas, Quinn Thomas and James Frank (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
Chase N’Tailz KDW results:
1st Place Heaviest Fish: 42.9lb Wahoo Team Young Guns – $5,000, Trophy, Entry into 2018 Tournament
2nd Place Heaviest Fish: 33.4lb Wahoo Team Strictly Fishing – $2,500, Trophy, Entry into 2018 Tournament
3rd Place Heaviest Fish: 33.3lb Kingfish Team Le-Mieux /Danco – $1,500 and Trophy
1st Place Kingfish: 32.8 lbs. Team Five O – $1,000
2nd Place Kingfish: 30.5 lbs. Team Reel’em In II – $500
3rd Place Kingfish: 26.1 lbs. Team Tuppens- $350
4th Place Kingfish: 28.1 lbs Team Lost Boys – $100
1st Place Wahoo: 29lbs Team Zele Huber- $1,000
2nd Place Wahoo:26lbs Team Baracuda Brooker- $500
3rd Place Wahoo: 23.7lbs Team Freaky Sabiki- $350
4th Place Wahoo: 19.9lbs Team Right Hook – $100
Kyan Sauerman of Nauti Bottles (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
1st Place Dolphin: 17.5 lbs Team Linex- $1,000
2nd Place Dolphin:15.9lbs Team Double Down- $500
3rd Place Dolphin 15.1lbs Knot Scared- $350
4th Place Dolphin:15.0lbs Corks Crew- $100
1st Place Lady Angler: 22.4lbs Team Reel’em In II – Chasentailz Fish Bag, Prize Pack
2nd Place Lady Angler: 20.8 Team Mac Daddy- Prize Pack
1st Place Junior Angler:13.5 lbs Team Lock it Down- Fish Bag, Tuppens giftcard, Trophy
2nd Place Junior Angler:13.2lbs Team Tuppens- Fish Bag, Tuppens gift card
Summer Warren, pictured, says, “Chase was an amazing little boy that will forever be our love story and inspiration. He was courageous, funny and so very sweet. He would light up the room with his gummy smile and wild laugh!” (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
1st Place Small Boat (under 400HP): 30.7lbs Team Holdem Hook- $1,100
2nd Place Small Boat: 29.7lbs Frustrated Amateurs $500
Heaviest Snapper: 7.9lbs Team Five O- Engel Cooler
Heaviest Bonita: 11.6 lbs Team Knot Scared- Engel Cooler
Calcutta:
Heaviest KDW: 33.4lb Wahoo Team Strictly Fishing – $5,000
3 Fish Aggregate: 64.3lbs Team Tuppens – $2,700
50/30/20: 42.9lb Wahoo Team Young Guns $1,460
33.4lb Wahoo Team Strictly Fishing- $780
33.3lb Kingfish Team Le-Mieux /Danco- $660
Summer Warren, center, with some of her team of volunteers (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)
Original Post: tcpalm.com
