Ladies, Gents: Start Your Engines

We’re only days away from Desert Storm 2012: April 23-28.

After Desert Storm 2011, ideas of incorporating the Lake Havasu Boat Show into the same timeframe as Desert Storm were popping up as a way to keep growing the Lake Havasu boat show.

For boating manufacturers and vendors, who normally wouldn’t display in a West Coast event, but do attend Desert Storm, it would be a great incentive to attend both and get more exposure than ever before. Plus it really puts the Desert Storm Performance Boat Week (nine days) as one of the biggest events in the country.

With Teague Custom Marine as Title Sponsor of both events, I think we’ve got a “home run” here.

Positive Reactions From The Industry

Recently, I have attended both the Los Angeles Boat Show and the Miami International Boat Show, and I must say adding the two events together has been the buzz of the entire industry. Everyone in the performance marine industry to whom I spoke was nothing but positive about the plan.

The Lake Havasu Marine Association, who has put on the boat show for last 20 years, picked Bob Brown to produce this year's event. And Brown, with deep connections in the entire performance-boating industry, has filled the show to overflowing.

Activities For Everyone

So, the week has activities for everyone, with water ski racing, offshore powerboat racing, a classic car show and a fantastic display of boats during the boat show weekend April 20-22.

Then, we have on-the-water demo rides and Performance Boat Magazine’s boat tests taking place on the 23 and 24, leading us into the Desert Storm activities.

Tuesday afternoon, April 24, we host an industry gathering with our invitational fun run and lunch at Pirate Cove Resort for our sponsors and the manufacturers who have attended the boat show.

On Wednesday, April 25, we kick off the first annual Desert Storm "Krusin' for Kids" event. Organized by our own Christina Crane and Cherilyn Teague and hosted by the Nautical Resort, special-needs children and adults will be coming from all over Arizona to have their DREAMS come true one KRUSE at a time.

Volunteer boat drivers will take our guests out on beautiful Lake Havasu for a "Kruise" and back into the Nautical Resort where they will enjoy a fun-filled day created just for them at Nautical’s new infinity edge pool, Wet!

Three Organizations To Benefit

We have teamed up with three different organizations — Havasu for Youth, New Horizons and Civitan Foundation; the three organizations are bringing their clients and families to enjoy the festivities.

LakeRacer will be hosting a silent and live auction at the Desert Storm open house on Wednesday night. The proceeds from the auction will be divided equally among the three organizations, so they can continue the amazing work they do for families in need.

The open house will be hosted by Oregon Custom Marine, the newest performance boat dealership in Lake Havasu. Join us for “Beer and Brats” provided by Romer Beverage and the Lake Havasu Marine Association.

More Information, Registration

Online registration for the 2012 event is available on the LakeRacer Online Store and is required for reserving your rooms at the Nautical Resort. A sponsor list has been provided to the hotel for those wanting to reserve their rooms. Please contact Jim Nichols at jimn@lakeracerllc.com for sponsorship and advertising information.

The 2012 event magazine will include the Lake Havasu Boat Show as well as all the Official Desert Storm Activities.

And, A Thanks From Jim

"I would like to thank all of my staff and volunteers who gave so much of their personal time and effort, as well as our sponsors, who believe in this event and make it so much more than just another poker run!" (Jim Nichols)