About

The Dolphin Rodeo began in 2008 in honor of Nick Sheahan. Nick died in 2004 tragically of shallow water black out in a diving accident in the Bahamas. He enjoyed fishing, diving and life in the Fabulous Florida Keys. He would have graduated from Coral Shores Senior High in 2006.

Tavernier Creek Marina wanted to bring back their past Dolphin Tournament, so we had the opportunity to bring it back as “The Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo.” We are also able to use the tournament to promote the dangers of “Shallow Water Blackout” and how to save someone in the situation.

The Dolphin Rodeo happens the first weekend in May opening up the dolphin fishing season. The community comes together in support of the event. All the proceeds benefit scholarships for graduating seniors of Coral Shores High School.

The kick-off party/captains meeting offers great food by local restaurants as well as beverages and live local entertainment. There is a silent auction with items donated by many local businesses such as artwork, jewelry, gift certificates and more as well a a 50/50 raffle. Raffles and give aways for registered anglers also make for a fun evening as well. The actual tournament is a two day event with weigh in and awards ceremony. Cash prizes and trophies for Adults for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Juniors anglers receive trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. We also offer prizes for largest wahoo & tuna. A light bite will be provided for the awards giveaway.

In order to qualify for the Nick Sheahan Scholarship, students complete an application acquired through the CAPS counselor at Coral Shores High School. The board and founders then meet to determine the recipients of the scholarship..

Giving back to the community and especially offering opportunities to his peers would have been the way Nick would have wanted to be remembered. This tournament is a wonderful way to keep his memory alive and bring people together to celebrate the life he loved so much.

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Nick Sheahan passed away in July 2004 at the age of 16. He died in a diving accident in the Bahamas. Nick touched so many people and was very special to many of us. We wanted to keep his memory alive and started the scholarship fund. Nick would have graduated in 2006 so we did several fundraisers raising money. We gave away $8000 in 2006 to four of his closest friends. They all went to college or trade school. Many of Nick's friends come to our tournament every year to either help out or fish the tournament.

In 2008 we had the opportunity to take over a fishing tournament that was once a big tournament at Tavernier Creek Marina. We named it the “Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo”. The Nick Sheahan Annual Fishing tournament is now part of the Florida Keys Tourist and Development Council of the Florida Keys. The Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo raises money to give back to the community. The money is raised to give students scholarships to help them get started in college. Since 2006, numerous students have been awarded this scholarship, and it has helped them out tremendously. The Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo will always be around to help the graduating kids of the community, and the Sheahan name will always be known forever.

In 2014 a 10 year memorial was held for Nick Sheahan. It was held at Casa Mar on the creekside. We had food, music, games, kayaking. it was a beautiful day and a great time. A lot of Nick's friends came home for this event and the support of the community was overwhelming. A video was created by Mike Govea and can be viewed on the website.

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Your donation will benefit the Nick Sheahan Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors at Coral Shores High School.

You can donate by mailing a check to us at:

The Nick Sheahan Scholarship Fund
230 Azalea St
Tavernier, FL 33070

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Shallow-water Blackouts Are Preventable

Latest research important to all snorkelers & divers:

Shallow-water blackouts are all too common, especially when combined with vigorous exertion in the water and some mistakes in prepping for free dives.

Important

Here are ways to avoid shallow-water blackout:

Always dive with a buddy!

Do not hyperventilate to excess, no more than three or four breaths.

Recognize that any strenuous exercise will limit your bottom time drastically; when you exercise, head for the surface much sooner than usual.

Recognize a dangerous situation when your mind starts to focus on a goal, and drop your weight belt.

Treat your weight belt as a disposable item: if in doubt, drop it. Bring a spare weight belt to decrease your hesitancy.

Adjust your weight belt so that you will float at 15 feet.

Avoid endurance dives. If you must make a long or deep dive, make sure you have a buddy standing by on the surface.

Consider a swimming pool a dangerous place to practice endurance breath-holding, always have an observer standing by to assist.

Learn the basics of CPR and think about adapting them to your diving arena, whether diving from shore, board or boat.

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Awarded $456,000 in Scholarships!