EMERALD COAST POKER RUN 2012 “We had a good time as usual,” said Raley, who has done the Emerald Coast Poker Run six times and joined FPC for the first time this year. “The water is great and it’s always a good time. We love the beaches here, too, and it’s a pretty easy drive for us. Plus everything—especially the captain’s party at AJ’s on Friday night—is convenient and close to the Emerald Grande where we stayed.” Chad Collier, who recently purchased a 40-foot catamaran from Marine Technology Inc. (MTI), also made the trip from Nashville. It was his fourth trip to the poker run; his first, of course, in the cat he purchased from Pier 57 in February. “Every year I come here, I meet more and more people,” said Collier, who owned two Fountains—a 35-footer and a 42-footer— before moving to the MTI. “It’s such a great place to hang out and network with other boaters who share the same interests as you. You can meet someone here once and next time you see them, it’s like you’re best friends.” It’s quite clear the Emerald Coast Poker Run brings together like-minded boaters and will keep doing so for years to come. “This event is a real shot in the arm for the local community on so many different fronts that everyone looks forward to it all year,” Jones said. “And the level of enthusiasm the event creates seems to be contagious—it just spreads.” Although he was satisfied overall with the poker run, Jones added that he was disappointed to report that there was an incident with a local boater (not a registered poker run boat) that involved a fatality, and that it appeared that the people were not wearing life jackets—a requirement for all poker run participants. JJ
Randy Scism (MI), Team SCISM, 48’ MTI
Brian D. Shelton (IN), Team LIVE 42 DAY, 42 Fountain
Barry Shumake (GA), Team MISMANAGEMENT, 42’ Fountain
Scott Sjogren (IL), Team PIER 57, Cigarette 42X
Tony Thompson (MD), TEAM EXTRA STRENGTH PAIN KILLER, 47 Fountain
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POWERBOATING IN PARADISE