On the weekend of July 23-25, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was crawling with custom boating enthusiasts who were in town for the Shockwave Boats' Regatta hosted by Jokers Wild Promotions. The event kicked off on Friday evening with registration and a cocktail party at the London Bridge Resort, giving participants a chance to mix and mingle, talk about boats, and prime the weekend with a few frosty beverages. While the adults swapped stories and talked about their boats, the kids were entertained by a Hot Wheels track, also set up by Jokers Wild, where heads-up racing kept the energy high. After a few hours of conversation and cocktails, some participants headed for their rooms, while others headed downstairs to Kokomo's dance club for some more festivities. Custom boating enthusiasm was in the air as participants talked about river experiences and proceeded to tear up the dance floor.
Saturday morning arrived early, and around 9 a.m., participants lined Rotary Beach just outside the Bridgewater channel on Lake Havasu for the driver's meeting and to receive a hand of poker cards. After a brief meeting on the beach and a few announcements by both the Jokers Wild staff and the Coast Guard, everyone was off to a nearby cove for a group tie-up. All 75 boats in attendance tossed anchors and tied up together for the aerial group shot performed by event photographer Jerry Taylor flying high in his helicopter. After participants had a chance to socialize out on the water and meet a few new friends, everyone went out to the open water to do a little rpm turning and cruising. Jokers Wild owner, Todd Taylor, released each boat one by one to drive under the helicopter for an aerial photograph of their boats and passengers. His instructions were to wave, smile, or do whatever they wanted to do (within reason). Those with jet boats raised their nozzles for impressive rooster-tail shots, and a few sprays of water even hit the helicopter.
After the individual boat photography shots were finished, everyone made their way back to Rotary Beach to spend the rest of the day hanging out and getting to know the other Shockwave owners in attendance. Tunes were playing all day to keep everyone grooving while the fun just kept flowing. Poker cards were also dealt by the Jokers Wild staff, and the winners were established. First Place went to Julie Dove of Mission Viejo, California, who took home $1,400. Second Place was captured by Tom Winters from Corona, California, winner of $900. And Third Place went to Jeremy Harnit, who took home $565. Once the poker hand winners were established, the Jokers Wild staff listened to various participants' boat stereo systems for the stereo competition, which was won by Gary and Diane Farace.
Closing out the day was a boat parade held through the Bridgewater Channel where Shockwave owners got in a line and motored their rides under the famous London Bridge. Upon finishing the parade, most folks headed for their trailers in an effort to get back to their rooms and clean up for the Regatta dinner hosted by Jokers Wild. Aside from featuring an impressive spread, the dinner featured a raffle for several cool prizes and a even few surprises. One Shockwave owner in particular proposed to his girlfriend using a custom-made banner that asked, Sandra, will you marry me? incorporated with the Shockwave logo. One of Jokers Wild's prominent sponsors for all of their regattas, Nationwide Homes, donated a wakeboard for the raffle, which was won by Randy Phillips of Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The Shockwave Custom Boats' 2004 Regatta was a smash hit event where many new solid boating friendships and great memories were made. Todd Taylor and the crew at Jokers Wild did a fine job ensuring the event went off without a hitch. A special thanks goes out to the London Bridge Resort for being the host hotel, Nationwide Homes for sponsoring the event and donating a wakeboard, Car Toyz for sponsoring the stereo contest, Prime Marine and Quality Performance Marine for sponsoring the event, Gatorz Sunglasses, Dallas and Robby from Kokomo's for supplying a fun place for the crowd to get loose, and Budweiser - Northwest Distributor. If you have a Shockwave and want to check out next year's event, go to www.jokerswildpromotions.com or www.411havasu.com.