The Orange Beach Billfish Classic was founded in 1998 with the mission of funding conservation organizations such as The Billfish Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association. In 2011, over $50,000.00 was donated to these two organizations, bringing the total monies contributed to the tournament to over $500,000.00. Thanks in part to an all-volunteer staff, the OBBC is the country’s only non-profit billfish tournament with 100 percent of all net profits donated to qualified 501(c)3 conservation organizations.
www.orangebeachbillfishclassic.com

Here are just a few tips to make your weekend more festive:
•       Children ages 10 and under are admitted free if they are accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. However, due to security concerns, there can only be 4 children allowed per family.
•      Shuttle passes must be purchased in advance in order to ride the shuttles. Each shuttle pass is valid only for the route purchased. The last shuttle leaves 30 minutes after the final show of the evening.
•       Please pick up any trash that you may come across and limit any plastic you bring to the festival. Be smart, be aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious packages you may come across.
•       All guests and their belongings are subject to search upon entry and re-entry. Leave large bags and prohibited items at home. Any prohibited item that is confiscated will not be held or returned.
•       Three-day ticket holders must exchange their ticket for a weekend wristband and will be allowed to re-enter the Festival. Wristbands must be worn at all times and are required for entry into the Festival. Wristbands are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and cannot be replaced.

Female sea turtles lay an average of 100 leathery, ping-pong-size eggs at a time. Only a few young turtles, however, will make it to adulthood. The incubation period is 55 to 75 days. Most hatchlings emerge together in an “eruption” of babies from the nest. The hatchling sea turtles then find their way to the Gulf waters by moonlight or starlight. Building lights along the shore, as well as flashlights, night photography using a flash, and outside patio lights may confuse the baby sea turtles, drawing them away from the water.

There are things we can do to help these tiny creatures as they make their way into the world. Take care not to disturb the sea turtle nests, leaving their tracks undisturbed, and don’t leave trash on the beach. You can also volunteer and adop a sea turtle nest. For more information about these sea creatures, visit http://www.alabamaseaturtles.com.

The swim will be a ¼ mile in the Gulf of Mexico. The bike segment of 17 miles will be on paved four-lane highway (Alabama Hwy 182) heading west 8.5 miles and returning to the Flora-Bama Lounge. Bike helmets are required. The 4-mile run will begin at the Flora-Bama Lounge, heading west under the PerdidoPassBridgeand back. Visit http://www.active.com for more information, registration and restrictions.