Photo Credit: American Hot Boat Association

The 2009 Desert Storm Performance Boating event comes to Lake Havsau City, AZ April 23 through 26, 2009
by Carol Allen

A collection of the most significant performance boats across the nation are once again planning to converge on Lake Havasu this coming spring! The word is already out and reservations at the Nautical Inn, our host hotel, are selling fast!

The 2008 event exceeded everyone’s expectations in the number and quality of the poker run teams and boats. Organizers pulled out all the stops to make it a top-notch event in safety and quality.

Adding the West Coast version of the Lake of the Ozarks Radar Shootout brought over 2,000 spectator boats lining the course. Organizers hope participants and visitors will help to continue this as one of the premier West Coast performance boat events!

Thursday will start off the excitement with a downtown street party; all of the participants and sponsors are invited to display their boats on McCulloch Boulevard, which will be closed off for the event.

Last year’s street party was spectacular, and over 10,000 people turned out from all over the area, so, of course, organizers hope it will be even bigger this year. Registration and check in for the poker run and shootout will open Thursday night, April 23 at the street party.

Friday morning back at the Nautical Inn, the Poker Run takes off with registration, drivers’ meeting, and a parade through the London Bridge Channel beginning the run.

With three card stations in the morning, two card stations and a helicopter photo station in the afternoon, there is lots of fun boating action! A card turn-in party that night in the Nautical Inn Cove completes the day.

Saturday morning starts with registration and check-in for the Desert Storm Shootout. The Shootout Course starts off in Thompson Bay and runs two miles south on the Arizona side.

Set to run all day with a break for lunch, it will be exciting to see which participants have the fastest boats in the West and will be the King of the Desert!

Spectators have a great view from Rotary Park Beach and there are display and vendor areas available there as well.

Saturday night everyone will celebrate with an awards banquet and party at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center.

Sunday, April 26, POPRA Races may compete, depending on Coast Guard permit, although they may be held April 19 instead. The decision is pending at press time.