TYNE VALLEY, P.E.I. — Competitors flocked from across the country for a chance to showcase their oyster shucking skills and take home the Shuck Cup, Friday evening.
The Canadian Oyster Shucking Championships is the signature event of the five-day Tyne Valley Oyster Festival that draws competitors from across the country in a bid to be crowned the 2019 Oyster Shucking Champion.
Adam MacLennan, vice chairman of the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, said funds raised from the event will go to the local hockey rink, Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre, including non-profit organizations.
Jason Nagy was among the 31 competitors, keeping his hands swift and steady under the dimmed lights. He cracked open the cleanest of shells and ended up winning the Shuck Cup and taking it back to his home in Montreal.
“I’ve been competing for six years and this is the first time I won,” said Nagy, a seafood chef.
“It’s surreal having this trophy and I’m trying to figure out what I can make with the oysters I have been given from Jeff Noye. But I can’t believe I won. I was also in the Tyne Valley parade handing out candy on a boat and I love how the whole community is involved.”
Nagy will represent Canada at the World Oyster Opening Competition in Galway, Ireland, this September.
“While I shuck all over, I have asked for advice from other shuckers at the Tyne Valley festival. And I will definitely put in a lot of practice and training before competing in Galway because now I’m representing Canada. I want to be prepared, so I can compete with the big guys,” said Nagy.
Tyne Valley Oyster Shucking Championships is not just where the best shucker in the country is crowned, it’s an opportunity for local fishers and growers to unite.
“Over 1,000 people go into that hockey rink to watch the oyster shuckers. Our rink is small, but it packs in a crowd every year. This is a popular event for the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. It’s something that we look forward to,” commented MacLennan.
The 55th Tyne Valley Oyster Festival goes through more than 30,000 oysters during the week.
MacLennan acknowledged the Tyne Valley Oyster Shucking Championships is a nationally recognized event.
"In order to represent Canada as an oyster shucker, you have to be in Tyne Valley.”
“And you can be as cool as a cucumber until they call your name up on that stage and then your anxiety is up there. I just remember to stay focussed and remember to breathe in front of all those people yelling your name. Do you. Do your job, but this time exceptionally fast and well.”
He acknowledged that while it’s a competition, the ultimate goal is to have fun.
“It’s a really fun experience. You left off where you began last year. Everyone is super happy, there’s after-parties, barbecues, and while you come prepared to shuck oysters, at the end of the day you’re there to have fun,” said Nagy, who plans to return next year.
MacLennan thanked the countless volunteers, sponsors and funders, especially the festival-goers that made the event such a huge success.
For more information visit, www.tvoysterfest.ca.
