At least from this fan’s perspective, offshore racing venues get no better than Sheboygan, Wis. Set on the Lake Michigan shore, it’s a breathtaking spot with friendly locals and a long beach that inspired someone—clearly in marketing—to dub it the “Malibu the Midwest.”
A quick word on that, as someone who grew up in the famed Southern beach-town when it didn’t suck as it does now? Sheboygan isn’t Malibu. It’s nothing like Malibu.
Sheboygan is better.
Once a sleepy hamlet for stoner surfers and privacy-seeking celebrities, Malibu is now as pretentious and silly as it is beautiful. It’s loaded with Hollywood types and rock-stars who own homes there so they can say they own homes there.
That’s all good, of course, places change and that one is still awfully pleasant to look as you’re gridlocked in Pacific Coast Highway traffic. But any funky Southern California beach-town charm is long gone. Between the endless highway congestion and the gaudy, unoccupied mansions dotting the hillsides, the place is kind obnoxious.
Trust me. This is not any easy thing to say about your hometown. I still have friends there. Some will read this and fume. But so be it. It’s the truth, at least for me.
With a population of less than 50,000 year-round residents, Sheboygan is undeniably charming. The locals welcome the racers, fans and the action on the water with open-arms, and not just because race-weekend is a whole bunch of fun and includes a Friday night raceboat exhibit and street party downtown. The event puts heads in the beds, in tourism speak, and fills local restaurants. Its economic impact is undeniable.
Presented by Mercury Racing and sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association, the Midwest Challenge returns to Sheboygan this weekend. Not only is the third annual affair the second stop for the Monster Energy Triple Crown Series offshore racing produced by Powerboat P1, the races carry APBA National Championship points.
If you haven’t been, you need to go. Even for a casual offshore racing fan, the Midwest Challenge in Sheboygan is worth your time. Save Malibu for another time.
Like the dead of winter.