Tuna tossing was back in full swing over the weekend for the Tunarama Festival held in the nation’s seafood capital, Port Lincoln.
Key points:
- Tunarama made a comeback this year after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19
- The world-famous tuna toss competition went ahead and brought in crowds of thousands
- A surprise interstate appearance won the women’s event
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the event made a comeback for its 60th celebration pulled together by a small team of eight volunteers.
Thousands of people gathered to Port Lincoln’s foreshore for the event that begun as a celebration of the multi-million-dollar tuna industry back in 1962.
Tunarama committee member, Charmaine Caston, said it was a great success.
“It’s the longest-running festival in regional South Australia, and the numbers have been great, the same as what they were pre-Covid,” she said.
“For locals, Tunarama is held dear to our hearts. We enjoy the parades, we enjoy the fireworks and it’s one of the main festivals that we come to celebrate together.
“It wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers and sponsors.”
Coveted tuna toss title
The tuna toss was inspired by local John Penny who watched tuna fishermen toss fish off their boats and thought that would be a great competition.
The event used real frozen tuna up until 2008, now a rubber replica is used.
Levi Proude, who grew up in Port Lincoln, is no stranger to the competition, winning it in 2018 and taking out the 2023 title this year.
“I’m very excited and privileged. I have won it once before, but my father has six times, so I’m still four behind which he lets me know about.”
Mr Proude said he would keep coming back until he beat his father’s record.
“It’s really special. Obviously, Port Lincoln is well known for tuna and tuna tossing. It’s one of the most popular events so it’s a privilege to win it this year.”
A surprise appearance, a 19-year-old hammer thrower from northern Sydney won the women’s category.
Rebecca Moore, who has been hammer-throwing since she was 14, said she did not expect to win.
“It’s super surreal. I was up against some really good athletes and it’s such an experience.”
“It’s something I can put on my resume, being the number one tuna thrower in the world. My mates already call me the best tosser they know so it’s pretty fun.
“This area of the country is absolutely incredible and I’m definitely going to come back.”
No-one has come close to beating the world record set in 1998 by former-Olympic hammer thrower Sean Carlin.
Carlin’s toss, at 37.23 metres, made it as far as the ocean.
However, the next generation of tuna tossers are already practising and in training to take part in the prawn and salmon-throwing competition.
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