Photos and Words by : Jayboat
Regardless of size, poker runs are the lifeblood of the performance boating world. They bring owners and fans together to run with each other, socialize and check out hardware; as well as offer builders, dealers and vendors a chance to showcase product to their core market. Whether it's a huge event like Desert Storm or Key West, or a local event at a small lake everyone in this game enjoys the camaraderie and friendships for life that are forged from interactions during a poker run weekend. Tall tales and cold beverages are most definitely involved.
With all of the dozens of runs each year to choose from, one is truly unique it's not really a poker run, it's more like an invitation only party, and if you own a Skater that's all the invitation needed. 2016 marked the 6th year of the annual Michigan holiday weekend known as Flight Club Skaterfest. Ron Szolack is the most avid Skater Brother on the planet, and he proves it every year by bringing together the "Skater Nation" for some very fast fun on Lake St Clair. Since the Skater factory is just across the state, Peter Hledin comes over every year to join in the festivities as well. There's never a shortage of incredible machines and this year Szolack introduced a purpose-built monster - a 368 canopy Skater with a pair of 2,000 HP Sterling engines that he and Chip Miller plan to run at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Destination: 200+ MPH.
The run covers the same general area each year-- from Metro Beach south along the western edge of the Lake and then down the Detroit River to the Ambassador Bridge. Then it's time for a short break to re-group and cool down, then back out across the lake and up the St Clair River for lunch in the town of St Clair. In addition to the 'only Skater' aspect, what makes this event so unique is that Ron deliberately keeps the count to about 20 boats. If you've ever been to one of the big events, you know how hectic it can feel trying to see and experience everything and everyone on the scene. Even if you go nonstop, there's no way to take in everything. Skaterfest happens like a weekend cookout at your best friend's house. Ok, it's a catered cookout at the party on Saturday night, but it is still a small enough group of folks that you can talk to everyone who's there if you're motivated to do so.
In addition to the boats, another attraction of this event is the club. Part of the annual tradition is to climb aboard a party bus for the ride down to Flight Club for dinner and drinks on Friday night. With an interior and production values that rival anything in Las Vegas, the club is all about fun and a big part of what makes this event so unique. Without question it is my favorite.
Regardless of size, poker runs are the lifeblood of the performance boating world. They bring owners and fans together to run with each other, socialize and check out hardware; as well as offer builders, dealers and vendors a chance to showcase product to their core market. Whether it's a huge event like Desert Storm or Key West, or a local event at a small lake everyone in this game enjoys the camaraderie and friendships for life that are forged from interactions during a poker run weekend. Tall tales and cold beverages are most definitely involved.
With all of the dozens of runs each year to choose from, one is truly unique it's not really a poker run, it's more like an invitation only party, and if you own a Skater that's all the invitation needed. 2016 marked the 6th year of the annual Michigan holiday weekend known as Flight Club Skaterfest. Ron Szolack is the most avid Skater Brother on the planet, and he proves it every year by bringing together the "Skater Nation" for some very fast fun on Lake St Clair. Since the Skater factory is just across the state, Peter Hledin comes over every year to join in the festivities as well. There's never a shortage of incredible machines and this year Szolack introduced a purpose-built monster - a 368 canopy Skater with a pair of 2,000 HP Sterling engines that he and Chip Miller plan to run at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Destination: 200+ MPH.
The run covers the same general area each year-- from Metro Beach south along the western edge of the Lake and then down the Detroit River to the Ambassador Bridge. Then it's time for a short break to re-group and cool down, then back out across the lake and up the St Clair River for lunch in the town of St Clair. In addition to the 'only Skater' aspect, what makes this event so unique is that Ron deliberately keeps the count to about 20 boats. If you've ever been to one of the big events, you know how hectic it can feel trying to see and experience everything and everyone on the scene. Even if you go nonstop, there's no way to take in everything. Skaterfest happens like a weekend cookout at your best friend's house. Ok, it's a catered cookout at the party on Saturday night, but it is still a small enough group of folks that you can talk to everyone who's there if you're motivated to do so.
In addition to the boats, another attraction of this event is the club. Part of the annual tradition is to climb aboard a party bus for the ride down to Flight Club for dinner and drinks on Friday night. With an interior and production values that rival anything in Las Vegas, the club is all about fun and a big part of what makes this event so unique. Without question it is my favorite.
