Despite early concerns about low levels, the waters of Lake Norman in North Carolina will teem with performance-boats this weekend for the Binks Fun For Addiction Awareness. The fourth annual event is on track for a record-setting turnout.
The Binks Fun For Addiction Awareness is heading into its fourth year. Photo courtesy/copyright Mike Goode.
“We’re getting near 60 boats I believe,” said Kurt Binkley, the lead organizer for the Lake Norman happening. “More signed up last night.
Binkley founded the event in memory of his 23-year-old son Travis. Dubbed Binks by his friends, he died from a fentanyl overdose in 2019.
“This year has been a struggle with the extreme drought conditions, but we only had to change the route amount to avoid shallow waters,” he continued. “Unfortunately, we won’t be holding the lunch stop where we did last year. But as soon as that word came out, we had a wonderful couple offer their beautiful home to us and if we’re lucky that might just be the future of our lunch stop.
“It’s a wonderful thing when the community pulls together,” he added. “I’m confident we will have a great weekend and a successful run, and I’m very fortunate to be able to rely on my closest family members and friends and my partner, Chad Shutter, and the whole BRP staff to help this event succeed. And course, none of this would happen without the support and hard work of my amazing wife, Misty.
Repeat participant Kelly O’Hara ran his DCB Performance Marine M37R catamaran on the lake yesterday with wife, Julie, their dog, Sally and friends Shane Mahieu and Amy Quinn. He is confident the event will come off without a hitch.
“The Lake Norman water levels are fine,” he said.