Maine Oyster Shucking Champ Ben Wolven, who won his crown at the Pemaquid Oyster Festival, placed eighth in a field of 15 top competitors at the US National Oyster Shucking Championship.
“It was crazy and one of the best times I’ve had in awhile,” Wolven said. “Everybody there was like family.”
The National Championship was held Oct. 20 and 21 during the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival in Leonardtown, Md. The winner of the National Championship qualifies to represent the US at the World Oyster Opening Championship in Galway, Ireland.
Wolven, a former Damariscotta resident, has returned to his current home in Boulder, Col. where he pursues his love of snow boarding and works at Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar, purported to be the only oyster bar in Colorado.
He said he already has firm plans to return for the 2013 Pemaquid Oyster Festival, and is planning a High West Oyster Festival in his new hometown.
Woven shucks all of the oysters gloveless and has a special technique. He also wears a bow tie at work in honor of Ed Myers, an aquaculture pioneer on the Damariscotta River who was also fond of sporting bow ties.
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival, held September 30, benefits the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund.
