Founded in 2018 by motorcycle event-producer and marketer Del Flores, the Spartan Powerboat Club has rekindled go-fast boating events in New Jersey. And the scene needed rekindling. The once-powerful New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club stopped producing events in 2019 had been decline before Dave Patnaude, the son of the late Ray Patnaude, who founded the club in 1999, shuttered the outfit. A dedicated guy but one with a living to make, Patnaude worked hard to revive the club but no longer had the time or bandwidth for it.
As evidenced by the 42-boat Coty Marine Cory Molinari Atlantic City Poker Run last weekend in the Garden State, the Spartan group is continuing to roll along in strong fashion.
The event’s namesake was just 19 years old when he died in a boating accident in 2021. By all accounts, the young man was a devoted performance-boating fan and a Spartan event participant, much like Flores himself.
“I have a deep passion for powerboating,” Flores said. “I feel blessed that I get to organize these events. Not only do I get to bring these amazing people together for an amazing vibe and great party, but we also get to raise money for my two favorite charities, Autism speaks in Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.”
The event followed a two-day format with runs on Friday and Saturday, the latter presented by Total Marine. Some 200 people participated in the weekend-long affair. “I only allow captains who register for the Friday event to participate in the Saturday event,” Flores said.
The Friday portion was particularly special for the organizer this time around.
“June 13 actually falls on my son’s birthday and he was there to celebrate his birthday with 200 of my friends,” Flores explained. “I’ve heard in the past it is good event, but this time around I heard it more, especially from new Spartan Powerboat Club members. This event definitely had a different feeling than past ones. I don’t know if it’s because it’s just getting easier to do or the people are getting better.”
Flores has a penchant for dedicating events to club members who have passed away. Next up for the Club is the July 12 Frank Averso Memorial Poker Run. It will be followed by the inaugural Tom Healy Memorial Poker Run August 9-10.
“One thing is for sure,” Flores said. “My love for putting together events just grows and grows.”