Power Boating Canada Magazine - Feature: Lake Ontario Poker Run

(Brian Ross and Bill Taylor present 1st prize to Team Pier Pressure's Jack Erskine and Bill Hockley)

Creating the perfect poker run may seem impossible, but this year Power Boating Canada's Lake Ontario event came within a heartbeat of perfection. Which is highly understandable, especially when you factor in a variety of superb facilities such as Snug Harbour Seafood Bar & Grill, Credit Village Marina and the Waterside Inn.

Months of planning and preparation are required to ensure the success of each Power Boating Canada poker run. Safety, of course, is paramount. In addition to an almost endless list of things to do, staff members must also work closely with local police, arrange for medic boats, and oversee - well as enforce - strict regulations that make it mandatory to wear life jackets and require everyone to adhere to the cardinal poker run rule, "Water on the water, beer on the pier." This emphasis on safety - for those who have never attended a Power Boating Canada poker run - is designed to make certain that every event is as trouble-free as humanly possible.

Performance boaters who attend power Boating Canada poker runs have no problem subscribing to the basic principles of safety, but they also know how to mix in a lot of fun. Which was definitely on the menu this past June 24th weekend. Participants trailered their boats from as far away as Florida. Nor-Tech's Terry Sobo showed up with Larry Jones, a dedicated poker run participant who recently purchased a 52-foot Nor-Tech powered by quad 500 hp MerCruiser engines! New York state's finest was also well represented with the appearance of Chris Freihofer who brought his 47-foot Viper/Cougar, equipped with twin 1150 hp SeaTech motors. Local representation was strong too, with personalities like Alec Cloke, piloting his 37-foot Talon, United Nations. Orillia, Ontario-based performance boat gurus, Hot Knots, took the opportunity to bring a hot, hot boat on the run - the striking new 34-foot Hustler Cheetah, unveiled earlier this year at the Miami boat show. Last - but definitely not least - the Factory 2 race team of Wilma and Brian Ross (to whom we would like to wish a belated Happy Birthday!) proudly entered their new graphically exotic 38-foot Hustler. (The Lake Ontario event was also part of an exclusive sales incentive weekend held by Snap-on Tools of Canada).