With multiple events happening around the country last weekend, performance-boat enthusiasts in the Lone Star State were not without an option of their own on one of their most popular home-waterways. The ninth annual Lake Texoma Thrown Down—once again organized by Casey Moore—on the expansive man-made lake, which straddles the border of Texas and Oklahoma, attracted 108 boats and included four stops in each state, plus two “bonus” stops.
Lake Texoma is large enough for heavy-hitting powerboats to run hard. Photos courtesy of the Lake Texoma Throw Down.
MTI V-42 owner Les Voudrie left his Lake of the Ozarks home-water in Central Missouri to enjoy the event for the second time. And once again he was delighted with the experience.
“I have been doing poker runs all over for several years and had some friends tell me I should check out the Texoma Throwdown last year,” said Voudrie, who dubbed his 42-footer After Worx for his Paint Worx boat-painted business. “I just really like the lake, the sand bar is one of my favorite parts.
“It’s just a change of pace from what we do every weekend at LOTO,” he continued. “I really like how the event is run and the party at the casino is great. We’re already planning to be back again next year.”
The owner of the well-known Skater 46 catamaran dubbed Freedom-U.S. 1, TJ Becker ran the event for the first time on the advice of his fellow Missourian.
“That was all it took,” he explained. “Everyone talks about the boating community being all about camaraderie, but I really think it’s more of a 50/50 split between getting out on the water and stretching the legs of the boats and meeting and hanging out with friends no matter where you are.
“I did really enjoy going to the sandbar and seeing all the beautiful boats there,” he added. “That was a sight to see.”
The Lake Texoma Throw Down attracted an impressive mix of powerboat brands.
Most participants, of course, were from the states that share the lake. That included Josh Herzing of Houston, who brought Slix Shine Skater 368 cat to Lake Texoma happening, and Nor-Tech 42-Eleven center console owner Robby Mcatee of Oklahoma
“Last year was our first Texoma Show Down and we didn’t know what to expect, but it’s probably one of my favorite events,” Herzing said. “Being from Houston, it’s only a six-hour drive. It’s a big lake, so can really run the big boats out there. Lodging is cheap and good. People are amazing with that Southern feeling.
“And Casey Moore is a good dude who puts on a great event to raise some money for charity,” he added.
Mcatee is a Lake Texoma Throw Down veteran.
“We have been for the last five years and the event just keeps getting bigger and better every year,” he said. “Casey does a great job. And this year, my good friend Taylor Kress and I opened a Sportchassis dealership so it was fun to go show off trucks to boaters. Taylor owns the Hot For Teacher Cigarette.”
The event will return next year to celebrate its milestone 10th anniversary. Odds are good it will throw down ever better.
The popular event will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.
Editor’s Note: Reporter J.R. Bellis handled all of the interviews for this story.
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