To the Editor:
Congratulations to the Schifter family, winners of the 2026 Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Sportsmanship Award!
Martha’s Vineyard Beachgoers Access Group (MVBAG) congratulates the Schifter family on receiving one of the Derby’s most meaningful honors.
Rick Schifter accepted the award to a standing ovation from hundreds of attendees — a powerful tribute to the Schifter family and what they’ve done for our community.
The Derby has always been about more than catching fish. It’s about community, friendship, and memories that last a lifetime. For generations of Derby fishermen, Wasque has been one of the places where those memories are made.
This year, the Schifter family worked with the Trustees to restore historic OSV access across their property to Wasque, opening it once again to fishermen and beachgoers.
At a time when historic public beach access faces so many challenges, the Schifters showed what it means to put the broader community first. They didn’t just help restore access to Wasque. They helped keep alive a tradition that means so much to so many of us.
Congratulations to the entire Schifter family on a well-deserved honor, and thank you from all of us at MVBAG!
Peter Sliwkowski
Martha’s Vineyard Beachgoers Access Group
