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The clear blue waters
of Georgian Bay crackled with excitement as some of the most spectacular
high performance boats in North America converged to partake in
the Power Boating Canada / Mercury Marine Georgian Bay Poker
Run. For 11 years, Georgian Bay has set the stage for Poker Runs,
making this course the Grandaddy of them all.
Friday afternoon of the first long weekend in August
the action began as the town of Penetanguishene welcomed the players
and onlookers. Sunshine beamed down on the crowds milling about
the Public Docks as the slips filled with the powerful boats emblazoned
with exotic graphics.
Festivities continued through the evening with the
Parade of Power in the Bay with local celebrities including Penetanguishene’s
Mayor, Bob Klug and members of the RCMP Musical Ride.
On Saturday morning, all the participants assembled
back at the docks. Over a hot breakfast they renewed old friendships
and began new ones. All the while, conversation focused on one thing:
The Run. Spirits ran high and enthusiasm mounted as it became clear
that the weather this year would cooperate. Hot and sunny. A perfect
day for a Poker Run.
Building camaraderie, the driver’s meeting, with
a strong emphasis on safety, brought everyone together to review
the rules and course details. By the time the group finished the
day, they would have collectively churned up more than 175 kilometres
of Georgian Bay. (Top)
Meaford, the original host of the Power Boating
Canada Poker Run, rallied around the event. As the first stop
of the day, special arrangements were made for faster refueling.
Next, the armada headed to Collingwood for lunch
at Lighthouse Point. From there the runners roared to a special
fly-by at Wasaga Beach where thousands of sun and fun seekers watched
the boats pound the waves past Beach Area 1 then back out onto Georgian
Bay before heading off to Midland’s Doral Marine and Resort (formally
known as Wye Heritage Marina).
Here, staff and volunteers outfitted as pirates,
were out in full force as they supplied h’oeurs d’erves and soft
drinks to celebrate the marina’s 25th anniversary. They also held
a Mocktail hour, maintaining the organizers’ and sponsors’ strict
philosophy of zero tolerance for alcohol during any and all the
Poker Runs. (Top)
Back at the Penetanguishene’s Curling Club, the
participants regrouped to see who would take away the bragging rates
of this year’s run. A trio of kings was the top hand dealt for the
day. Andre Laurin in his 38’ Scarab Loose Cargo walked away with
first prize which included cash donated by Poker Runs Inc., a Bulova
watch, Pentax camera with telephoto lens and case, a Snap-On Tools
kit, a Koolatron cooler, a Hydraulic Jack and a half-acre of industrial
land in Penetanguishene. He also claimed the manufacturer’s $500
bonus for entering the winner’s circle in a Wellcraft. Manufacturers
Baja, Cigarette, Donzi, Formula, Fountain and Wellcraft each sweeten
the prize pot with a $500 bonus if the winner is in one of their
boats.
Second prize went to Larry Jones of Toronto who
piloted his 52’ Nor-Tech around the course to pick up three fours.
He won cash donated by Poker Runs Inc., Pentax binoculars, a Koolatron
cooler, a Poker Runs jacket and a Hydraulic Jack. (Top)
Vic Priestly in Wrecking Time, a 35’ Fountain,
claimed the third prize with two pair. He took home cash donated
by Poker Runs Inc., an Easy Cooker, a Team Hot Knots Certificate
and a Hydraulic Jack. Vic also won the special trip to the Fountain
factory in Washington, North Carolina for a Day On The Throttles
With Reggie Fountain for having the best poker hand in a Fountain
power boat.
All weekend long in Penetanguishene the action never
stopped thanks to the exceptional planning of David Gravelle, President
of WOW! Special Events. The KICX-FM Sea-Doo Sport Boat Challenge
was held Saturday at noon as local sports, media and political celebrities
participated in an on-water slalom race aboard Sea-Doo boats provided
by Factory Recreation in Midland.
On Sunday, the highlight was the High Noon Shoot
Out where a group of drivers tried to match a predetermined speed
down Penetang Bay. Hank Fredericks of Midurst, ON won $1000 in the
Hit The Mark contest. He took his 38’ Hustler
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Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The town crier announces the
arrival of the Poker Runners.
From left, Shane Serra (Hot Knots), Dennis Ryerson
(Mercury Racing), Power Boating Canada's Bill Taylor, present Andre
Laurin and team with 1st place trophy.
David and Linda Formhals from
Wynn's Canada present 2nd prize to Larry Jones.
Vic Priestly (far right) picks up
the 3rd place trophy
from Graham Neale (far left)
MC Dave Kirkland (seated) gets a pair of cement
shoes as a joke from Bob McCoy of Brooklin Concrete (far left),
Graham Neale and Mercury's Dennis Ryerson.
Team Ferrentino on Ultimate Warrior.
Nancy Peter (second from left), General Manager of
Doral Marine Resort and her pirate crew.
Alec Cloke and Team United on the United Nations
supplied the bottled water to make sure no one went thirsty.
Safty is always a factor.
Ultimate Warrior and Chaps III
Hard Core
Blow Cut
It’s a Blast to the closest predicted speed
matched by Power Boating Canada magazine’s radar gun. He immediately
donated the money to Toronto’s Children’s Hospital.
Shoppers took advantage of the Bell World Marine
Marketplace which featured dozens of vendors, including wooden boats,
offshore boats, official Poker Run clothing, sunglasses, electronics,
wireless phones and much more. Waterfront Park played host to the
Georgian Bay Sea-Doo personal watercraft races. Also, as part of
the Poker Run Festival weekend, the RCMP Musical Ride hosted two
shows.
As the weekend drew to a close, the Penetanguishene
Town Docks fell quiet as the Poker Runners loaded up their rigs
and headed home. But the echoes of thunder still loomed in the bay.
Make sure you’re part of the excitement next year.
(Top)
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