Most go-boast boating events are inseparable from their host-waterways. You couldn’t, for example, relocate Super Cat Fest West or the Desert Storm Poker Run from Lake Havasu in Arizona and expect them to survive. Same goes for the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run and the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run from their respective waterways.
No matter how nationally known an event becomes, the majority of participants hail from its region. And for out-of-towners, the local waterway plays a starring role.
But beyond keeping their Invitational Skater Run event in Southwest Florida, Ron Muller and Chris LaMorte don’t have such a rigid constraint. From Tampa to Naples, the Sunshine State region has hundreds of miles of boating friendly waterway and waterfront destinations that can handle small group—and with 22 boats in the mix this year the Skater affair is relatively small.
So when the Sarasota Hyatt no longer became an option for the fourth annual Skater brand-celebration, which is happening this weekend, they pivoted to the Cape Coral Westin Resort.
As you read this, Skater Invitational Fun Run participants are rising to run their catamarans to Cabbage Key for breakfast. Later, they’ll head for lunch at Riviera Bar and Grill in Punta Gorda. Tomorrow, the group will trek south to the Naples Hyatt House for lunch.
“The change of scenery seems great so far,” LaMorte said. The Westin is really nice.”
LaMorte and Muller had two prime resources—Tim and Cyndee Hill of Fort Myers Offshore—that helped with their event-relocation planning. The couple, which owns a Skater 32B catamaran and will join the group this weekend, has more than little experience and a whole lot of local knowledge when it comes to planning boating events in the area.
“We could not have done it without them,” Muller explained. “Their support and willingness to help was a blessing as we navigate the new venues and area. We are glad they are part of the Skater family, and we cannot thank Tim and Cyndee Hill enough.”