With a healthy serving of power, performance and excitement, this year’s granddaddy of poker runs proved to be a huge success.

On any Friday afternoon in July, the picturesque community of Honey Harbour in Georgian Bay pulses with a fevered pitch. Transient boaters and cottagers from across Southern Ontario and beyond head north to enjoy several of the region’s rich and refreshing hot spots. But on the afternoon of July 22, the excitement was turned up a notch as a convoy of poker runners arrived with performance in tow to experience the exhilarating rush of Power Boating Canada’s 17th annual Georgian Bay Poker Run.

With a series of unexpected events and a request for a change in venue from organizers and sponsors, this year’s granddaddy of poker runs was moved to a fabulous, new location, the popular Delawana Inn Resort. Considered to be one of the area’s most acclaimed hotels, the 25-acre facility serves up the excitement for those who want it all. From its luxurious health spa and first-class dining to excellent golfing and fishing, the Delawana Inn Resort is the perfect holiday destination for the whole family. And thanks to the special efforts of Power Boating Canada’s poker run coordinator, David Gravelle and the Delawana Inn Resort’s sales and marketing manager, Lisa Lauder, the event turned out to be one of the most memorable on record.

Before settling their great beasts in the slips of the Delawana Inn Resort, poker runners pulled up to the neighboring Honey Harbour Yacht Club and Admirals Marina to offload their offshore arsenal, while others slowly prowled in by water.

Throughout the afternoon, as more boats arrived, the channel in front of the Delawana Inn Resort flocked with passing boaters snapping photos and admiring the exotic hardware. But the excitement of the afternoon was just a foreshadowing of what was to come.

With every Power Boating Canada Georgian Bay Poker Run, the event showcases the KICX-FM Parade of Power, providing thrilling rides to specially chosen individuals from the Midland/Penetanguishene area. This year, more than two dozen mentally and physically challenged clients of Community Living Huronia and their case workers were the chosen recipients.

Bob Barnhart and his 52’ Nor-Tech, Predator, led the small fleet of poker runners from the Delawana Inn Resort to Port McNicoll to pick up the lucky winners. More than 1,000 Tay Township residents welcomed the boats with a standing ovation as they pulled up to the dock at the former Great Lakes port. (Page Top)

As the KICX-FM Extreme Marine Team’s Sean DeGrace primed the audience with prizes, the ovation and cheers grew to a deafening roar as each client was led down the dock or in many cases, lifted from their wheelchairs and carried to a waiting boat. For many, this display of generosity brought a tear to the eye.

Then it was time for the on-water parade. As boats fired up to life, the feeling of anticipation grew and within minutes, hair was blowing and eyes were watering as the flotilla of performance flew by the docks and into the beautiful, calm summer night. This experience was as gratifying to the passengers as it was to the drivers’ who volunteered their boats. It’s also one of the highlights of the entire event.

The next morning, Power Boating Canada’s Dave Kirkland ushered everyone into the Delawana Inn Resort’s Huron Room for the mandatory driver’s meeting to outline the course, discuss the day’s forecast and hand out Card 1. Since large bodies of water like Georgian Bay can be vicious with unmarked shoals, hefty waves, and inclement weather, the driver meeting is a key component to a safe event.

After the poker runners were dismissed and marched to their boats, the sight in front of the Delawana Inn Resort was a scene out of a movie. Dozens of boats of every kind and size anchored across the channel to see the boats fire up. A special thanks is order to the Ontario Provincial Police Marine Unit and the Canadian Coast Guard for keeping order on the water.
As the start time of 10:00 a.m. approached, Dock Master Gary Don and his waterfront staff invited resort guests, vacationers and boaters on the water for the countdown of “Gentlemen Start your Engines.”

The docks vibrated, children cheered in delight, and applause could be seen but not heard as over 40 magnificent machines fired up in unison. Slowly, each gleaming boat left the dock and made their way down the small channel as the police kept other boats a safe distance away.
Once cleared from the docks, the Delawana Inn Resort staff started with their regular summer programs. However, minutes later, everything stopped again, as a thunderous roar could be heard in the distance when the green flag dropped and the Georgian Bay Poker Run was underway. Each boat cruised at top speed for the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island to play Card 2.

For Dave Luciani, his chance for the perfect poker hand and a weekend on the water with friends came to an abrupt end just short of Christian Island as his boat broke down. Down to one engine, they taxied to their Penetanguishene area cottage, picked up Dave’s wife’s SUV and trailer and within a couple of hours, they had the boat at Double R Performance in Orillia for a speedy repair. (Page Top)

Following a brief stop at Christian Island, the boats turned the corner to face the open waters of the bay. The previous day’s wind had subsided, but the rollers were still evident as it takes a big body of water like Georgian Bay several hours to calm down. For many, it was a lumpy ride to Meaford. But for owners of larger, more powerful boats, this was exactly what they were looking for, big water, big air, and big fun!

For Ottawa’s Dave Turnbull, his first Georgian Bay Poker Run was an experience he will not soon forget. Dave also volunteered his time and 30-foot Baja for the Parade of Power and was “thrilled to help out.”

In Meaford, the poker run fleet was treated to lunch capped off by fresh apple pie, all courtesy of local sponsors secured by Meaford Chamber of Commerce marketing manager, Sal Greco.
Located on the western shore of Georgian Bay, Meaford is the birth place of Power Boating Canada Poker Runs. It was just 17 years ago when publisher Bill Taylor and Meaford’s very own Doug Dawson and PBC’s chief boat tester, ran the very first Canadian poker run event. Doug was even onsite wandering the docks and greeting old acquaintances. After lunch and fuel, the second crossing of Georgian Bay was much calmer as the boats made great time arriving in Penetanguishene and Card Stop 4 almost a half hour early.

In addition to the handing out of the cards by Deputy mayor Doug Leroux, Penetanguishene hosted a Discover Boating weekend courtesy of the Ontario Marine Operators Association (OMOA). In just two-days, more than 400 new boaters experienced the thrill of boating and gained great insight about the boating lifestyle.

Next stop was the village of Port McNicoll, in the Township of Tay, where the lake freighters used to stop and unload grain from the lakehead, destined for cities to the south. The shipping industry vanished long ago, but the community is experiencing a resurgence, and expanded it’s activities around the poker run weekend. Live entertainment, a personal watercraft stunt show, vendors and food were some of the thrilling activities taking place.

Mayor Robin Talbot had the official honour of handing out the final card as thousands looked on from the shore. Many thanks to the Township Council, Recreation Coordinator Roz Lewellyn, and the many service organizations and volunteers who made the Port McNicoll stop a roaring success.

Once the boats tied up for the day at the Delawana Inn Resort, it was time to adjourn to the Marine Deck lounge overlooking the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay for a cocktail reception, followed by dinner in the rustic dining room.

Dinner, prepared by the Delawana Inn Resort was excellent as stories from the day’s adventures spilled from one table to another. As desert and coffee were being served, Power Boating Canada’s master of ceremonies, Dave Kirkland, took center stage to announce the winners and thank event sponsors.

After 16 years of playing hands on the poker run circuit, John Landry took the winning hand for the very first time, earning $2,500 in cash and prizes. Ottawa’s David Turnbull got a taste of Georgian Bay and loved it. After taking second place, he will likely be back for more. David was the recipient of $1,000 in cash and prizes. In third place was long-time poker runner Paul Honeywell who won $500 in cash and prizes.

While a location for the 2006 Power Boating Canada Georgian Bay Poker Run is yet to be confirmed, this year’s Granddaddy of poker runs once again proved to be a great success with many participants and communities taking part in this thrilling event. Be sure to visit www.powerboating.com for breaking news on next year’s Georgian Bay Poker Run.

(More photos from 2005 Georgian Bay Poker Run) (Page Top)