Pirates of Lanier…Goal Shattered: John Woodruff and Nancy set a goal. They said they were going to raise $400K for the charities supported by the Lanier Partners and the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run. Hard work and determination yielded a result that exceeded their goal. The final numbers are not in yet but we can comfortably state that at least $410,00.00 was raised. Auction item totals are still coming and the overwhelming generosity was everywhere. A lighted hula hoop sold for $1200 and simple cash donations are still being tallied. I think there is no doubt this event tops the list to showcase the generosity of our powerboating group.

The other notable was 301 registered boats with many more on the sidelines. Great variety of craft from homemade VW Bus on a raft to big 48 MTI’s and 46 Skaters, with everything else in between.

The rain delay may have been a blessing in disguise. Everyone watched and waiting checking their phones for the Pirates of Lanier APP updates. Hard rain poured in the early hours of Saturday but when it stopped it was cool and fun and sage. A small final downburst hit us just before the bridge but it only lasted for amount two minutes and it was clear running from there on. The PBN Cigarette made all seven card stops and we had a great time running this event.

Back at Sunset cove the party atmosphere took off with many Pirates on the dock to celebrate and watch the event finale fireworks.

A big Congratulations to John, Nancy and the entire team of Lanier Partners who worked so hard to make the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run what it has become today.

Of course the video is coming!

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We have talking and planning and now its time to leave for the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run. The entire team at Lanier Partners has been working tirelessly to put together a fantastic event. With a mobile App, Special Treasure hunt and more than 200 boats registered we can be sure the fundraising goal will be accomplished.

The organizers were also able to bring in Paul Sr, of Orange County Choppers for a special meet and greet. Additionally there are other surprises coming. Sworn to secrecy to which I can not reveal but this should be a very exciting time for everyone who makes the trek to Lanier.

At least six boats from South Florida are making the run north and PowerBoatNation.com will be on hand to cover the event live and bring back back to you online!

Here is the list of registered participants and to me the coolest thing is the variety of the boats taking part in this great event!

To just say the Lanier Poker Run was a great event would be a huge understatement. TheLanier Partners who put on this event to support Camp Sunshine and other charities are to be so heartily commended for an incredible job. John Woodruff who many of us know as the owner of the fabulous 48 MTI “WINDSHIP” who presided over the event was a wonderful and accommodating host to everyone. If you weren’t there you missed a number of incredible features including at total of 275 boats at final registration. $280,000 was raised for the partner charities.

Not stopping with the money raised, the Great Venue, Card Stops, the Laser Light Show, Fireworks made the event golden. The variety of boats and wonderful people made it even more special. Special commendations have to be given to organizers for putting on a safe event with a good start procedure as well.

This Powerboating Event is one that I have never done before and don’t intend to miss again. We had non-stop fun at this amazing event and it’s difficult to describe the joy. All three poker run winners, 1^st Place Jarrett Garlin with the $5,000 prize, 2^nd Place Kenny Armstrong with the $2500 prize, and 3^rd Place Mitch Blalock $1000 prize, returned their winning back to the charity. In fact every single poker hand prize ever won at this event has gone back to Camp Sunshine. The atmosphere, support and touch of the event were possibly felt no stronger by anyone than fellow poker runner and MTI owner Kenny Armstrong. Kenny said he was so moved by the work of the charity and what Camp Sunshine does for young cancer patients he had to do more. On Friday night Kenny gave $50,000.00 to the event. This type of generous giving was felt all over and felt hard. The entire event was so much more than fiberglass and iron it was truly a like minded community united for a cause.

Remarkable was the variety of boats. From the exotic 48 MTI’s of John Woodruff and Kenny Armstrong and the 46 Skater of Dan DeSantis to small open runabouts and pontoon boats this event was about Powerboating and raising money for charities. I was completely taken back by the generosity of the community and how friendly and appreciative everyone was.

To say people were nice and welcoming does not come close either. At no other boating event have so many people gone out of their way to come up to us and tell us how thankful they were that we took the time to come to Lake Lanier and how appreciative they all were. The venue at Lake Lanier Islands Resort was equally as impressive. The grounds, the staff, the accommodations, and the attitudes were all superb. On the docks was a blast and a big thanks to our local boating friend John O’Neill for getting us extra slips at the last minute.

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