Show Contacts

Show Chairman:      Matt Rhoades           ShowChair.kcsd@gmail.com

Vendor Chairman:   Jill Rhoades              Treasure.kcsd@gmail.com

Exhibitor Chairman: Jack Chapman         jackchapman1@cox.net

Judges Chairman:   Scotty Yee                 Scttyee@yahoo.com

Exhibitor Requirements and Fees

1.       This is a hobbyist koi show and will be conducted English style with the koi of each exhibitor kept together in their own tank(s).  Koi dealers having a business license or name for the purpose of selling koi or employees of koi dealers are not permitted to enter.  Exhibitors engaged in only the sale of dry pond or pond related products and their employees are permitted to enter.

2.       The registered exhibitor must be the actual owner of the koi entered.

3.       Koi dealers may assist their customers by transporting koi to the show; however, the actual owner of the koi must be present during benching, registration and at the conclusion of the show.

4.       The exhibitor must sign the official entry/ownership form and pay all fees prior to the close of registration (Friday 8:00 PM) in order to qualify for judging.  PRE-REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TANK AT THE SHOW!!  To allow for additional show exhibitors the 2026 show will limit each entrant to a maximum of 4 tanks.

5.    Checks or money orders should be made payable to: KCSD or Koi Club of San Diego.  Tanks will not be reserved without your completed registration, which includes payment in full and submission of both the Exhibitor Registration and Koi Entry Worksheet.  Also for 2026 – Credit card payment is available by marking the “Email me a credit card payment link” on the Exhibitor Registration Form.

6.       Pre-registration and fees must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2026.  The $150 registration is for each tank.  Each tank can hold up to the koi 100-point system.  No tank will be stocked beyond the 100 load as determined by the calculations shown on the entrant work sheet, with verification at benching.  Supplemental entries (made after the initial koi entries have been benched) are $25 per fish and this is the only per koi fish charge for this show.  Should you purchase a koi from a vendor after your assigned tank(s) have been benched on Friday see Jack Chapman (Head Bencher) to get your koi benched and judged in the show.  Registration post marked after FEB 15th^t (if tanks available) are $175 for each additional tank(s).

7.       Exhibitors may, by mutual agreement, share a single tank, but it is not recommended.  One exhibitor is designated as the primary exhibitor and is responsible for all costs associated with the tank.  Both exhibitors must be present during benching and at the conclusion of the show.

8.       Each exhibitor is responsible for providing a net for use with their tank.  If you do not provide a net, we will provide a net for use during benching and judging for a $25 rental fee.  A shared tank only requires one net.

9.       KCSD will provide a separate tub for use with each tank.

10.   Past Grand Champions of KCSD shows are eligible for entry.

11. There will not be any restrictions on exhibitors selling their koi, including using their own or other websites and/or facilities after the release of exhibitors at 2 PM Sunday.  Exhibitors are not allowed to post or advertise for sale signs on the show tank or the splash screen during the show.

 

Delivery and Removal of Koi

1.       Check-in of koi will be on Friday March 6th 2026 ONLY from 2 PM to 8 PM.  Arrivals prior to 2 PM Friday may have to wait until all show tanks have been treated prior to floating bags or releasing koi in their assigned tanks; please check with the Show Chairman in advance of your arrival.  Koi purchased from the vendors on Friday between 2 PM and 8 PM will be accepted and judged.

2.       Each exhibitor will be assigned a tank(s) by the Exhibitor Chairman.  Exhibitors having multiple tanks may designate which of their fish go into which tank, as long as the individual tank load criteria are maintained.

3.       Do not float bags in the tanks until you have been assigned a tank(s) and given approval by the Show Chairman or Exhibitor Chairman.  The owner or agent delivering the koi must remain with the koi until the koi are released into their tank(s).  Transfer bag water is NOT to be released into show tank but put into drain tank located in show area.

4.       The exhibitor (owner) must be present during benching and classification of their koi.

5.       Digital photos will be taken of each fish during benching.

6.       Koi will be handled only by the Show Chairman's designated handlers.  If you have a concern and need your koi tubbed following check-in, please request a designated handler from the registration desk.

7.       All entries must be left on exhibit until the conclusion of the show on Sunday at 2 PM.  If you live more than 200 miles from the show site and need to leave early, please contact the Show Chairman prior to show entry for advanced approval.

8.       All necessary precautions will be taken by the club to safeguard the exhibitor’s koi, including 24-hour monitoring.  All participants in the show will agree to hold the KCSD, its officers, members, and show volunteers harmless against any loss or injury to the exhibitor’s fish.  Exhibitors should provide a 24-hour emergency contact telephone number on their registration form for use by the Show Chairman.

9.       Sunday at 2 PM, prior to the close of the show, each exhibitor will be polled to ensure that all of their fish are in their assigned tank(s).  All exhibitors must be present at that time to verify and remove their koi from the show site.  No koi will be allowed to be bagged or removed until all fish are identified to the satisfaction of all exhibitor and officially released by the Show Chairman.  Out of town exhibitors will be given priority for fish removal and KCSD members will be available to assist, if requested.  Oxygen, bags, and rubber bands will be available.

10.   Any koi not claimed at the conclusion of the show will become the property of KCSD.

 

Pre-Show Preparations

1.       Please discontinue feeding your koi 5 to 7 days prior to the show.

2.       Be sure that your koi are in good health.  Koi with any signs of sickness or parasites will be disqualified.  Examine your fish from top to bottom before you bring them to the show.  Fish that have any signs of injury, parasites, or illness should not be transported to the show.  This will include any areas of injury or infection that are not completely healed.  The decision of the Show Chairman will be final in this matter. 

Judging

1.       Prior to judging the Show Chairman will verify that all koi are entered into their proper class and size.  If an error is made, correction of classification will be made prior to judging, or during judging if it is possible without disrupting the judging process.  Gin Rin and Doitsu will not be reclassified after exhibitor has made that selection during check-in and benching.

2.       During judging, entrants may quietly and respectfully listen to the Judges’ comments from outside the show ring.  All participants and spectators must refrain from communicating with the Judges or attempting to influence their decisions in any way.  Decisions of the Judges and the Show Chairman are final.

 

Don't Miss the awards banquet for the show!!!

Mexican Festival

With trophies and drawings for koi related items

The Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday evening at Tony’s Jacal in Solana Beach, just 1.3 miles from the fairgrounds. The address is: 621 Valley Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075.

Our banquet at Tony's Jacal provides us with a combination plate from seven main entrees to mix and match any two. Included with these two entrees are Beans and Rice. The two entrees from which to choose include: a Taco, an Enchilada, a Chile Relleno, a Tamale, a Bean Tostada, a Flauta, and a Taquito.

Hotel Accommodations

Our past hotel is under renovations and unavailable for March 2026 dates; however, the Marriott Courtyard next door can accommodate us.

The rate is $219 a night and has to be booked prior to Feb 15, 2026

The following link can be used to book your stay:

Book your group rate for Koi Club of San Diego

Schedule of events

Entry of Fish	Friday, 6 Mar	2 PM to 8 PM
Show Open to the Public	Saturday,   7 Mar	9 AM to 4 PM and
	Sunday ,   8 Mar	9 AM to 2 PM
Judging	Saturday, 7 Mar	9 AM until completed
Koi Social Mixer	Saturday, 7 Mar	5 PM-6 PM
Awards Banquet	Saturday, 7 Mar	6 PM - 10 PM
Judges’ Discussion	Sunday, 8 Mar	10 AM
Koi Auction	Sunday, 8 Mar	1 PM
Close of Show	Sunday, 8 Mar	2 PM

Classes and Sizes

1. Sizes – There will be nine class sizes starting with 6” to <9", and the sizes will increase in 3" increments with the largest size (9) being 30’’ and 0ver.  Koi under 6” will not be judged.
2.  Kikokuryu and Beni Kikokuryu will be judged in the Hikari Moyo class.
3.  Ochiba Shigure will be taken out of the Kawarigoi class and be judged in its own class.
4. Gin Rin – The exhibitor has the choice of entering the koi in either the Gin Rin or appropriate non-Gin Rin class. There will be a Gin Rin class (all koi entered as Gin Rin) and a Gin Rin B class (all non-gosanke entered in Gin Rin).  No changes can be made by an exhibitor after benching their koi.
5. Doitsu – The exhibitor has the choice of entering the koi in either the Doitsu or appropriate non-Doitsu class except for Shusui, which must be entered in the Asagi/Shusui class and Kumonryu which must be entered in the Kawarigoi class. There will be a Doitsu class (all koi entered as Doitsu) and a Doitsu B class (all non-gosanke entered in Doitsu).  No changes can be made by an exhibitor after benching their koi.
6. Long Fin – The tail of a Long Fin will be included in the measurement.  All Long Fin koi will be judged in the Long Fin class.  There will be a Long Fin and a Long Fin B class.
7. Novice – To enter as a Novice, the owner of the koi cannot have previously competed in any koi show and must indicate their Novice status on the entry form.  Novice entries will compete in the open classes and in addition will be eligible for the Novice Champion award 
8. Champion Awards – All entries are eligible for Champion Awards. Baby Champion will be selected from Sizes 1 & 2, Young Champion from Sizes 3 & 4, Adult Champion from Sizes 5 & 6, and Mature Champion from Sizes 7, 8 & 9.  All Champion B awards are for Non-Gosanke, with no exceptions.
9. Grand Champion Awards – All entries are eligible for Grand Champion.  In addition Hikari Moyo, Hikari Utsuri, Hikari Muji, Goshiki, Koromo, Gin Rin B, Doitsu B, Utsuri, Bekko, Asagi/Shusui, Ochiba Shigure, Kawarigoi, and Long Fin will be eligible for Non-Gosanke Champion B Awards.