National
ON-THE-WATER GOLF TOURNAMENT Deana Jorgenson
An unusual on-the-water
at waterfront venues throughout Islamorada. Boats will be
golf tournament will enable
docked and golfers will come ashore to tee off.
boaters in the Florida Keys to raise money for charity one shot at a time. The Conch Scramble is set for Saturday, Sept. 28. A kick-off party and team registration is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the
Holes consist of two floating rings whose distances from shore range from 30 to 120 yards off the venues’ dock or beach—and only irons and putters will be allowed. Golfers are awarded points for their shots, depending on whether they land inside or outside the rings. Golfers will use environmentally friendly biodegradable golf balls that become fish food after 96 hours in the water. Up to 45 teams can participate and entry fee is $500 per
Alligator Reef, a private
team. Proceeds from the golfing challenge benefit the Upper
oceanfront compound located at mile marker (MM) 87.4.
Keys Foundation that funds athletic programs and facilities
The next day, teams of four players will travel by boat from
in the Keys.
tee to tee, and have two shots at each of nine “holes” located
FISHING TOPS U.S. LIGHTNING DEATHS The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist with NWS, said
National Weather Service (NWS) announced on June 24 that
the large number of fishing and boating deaths may occur
64 percent of all lightning deaths since 2006 had occurred
because these activities require extra time to get to safe
when people were involved in outdoor leisure activities, and
places. “People often wait far too long to head to safety when
fishing was at the top of this list with 26 deaths.
a storm is approaching and that puts them in a dangerous
Of the 152 deaths associated with outdoor leisure activities
and potentially deadly situation,” he added.
between 2006 and 2012, fishing was followed by camping
NWS said the best way for people to protect themselves
(15 deaths), boating (14 deaths), soccer (12 deaths), and golf
against lightning injury or death is to monitor the weather
(8 deaths). The remaining 77 people killed by lightning were
and either postpone or cancel outdoor activities when
engaged in other leisure activities such as swimming, riding
thunderstorms are in the forecast.
their bicycles, or picnicking in their yards.
SUPER BOATS EVENT & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL The ‘fastest show on water’ will be returning to Clearwater,
the boats on display, meet the drivers and participate in a
Florida’s coast with the Bright House Clearwater Super Boats
variety of activities, followed by a special Blast Friday and
National Championship & Seafood Festival, Sept. 27 to 29,
boat parade. The Seafood Festival will take place Saturday
2013. The three-day event is full of family friendly activities, a
from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., in downtown Clearwater’s Coachman
seafood festival, fi reworks display and some of the world’s
Park, with specialties from local restaurants available for
fastest and largest powerboats.
purchase. Sunday is race day with the first heat at noon and
Traveling at speeds approaching 180 miles per hour, the super boats, most equipped with F-16 canopies, will compete for the title of national champion in 10 classes. The 2.5-mile race course is located just off-shore from Clearwater’s awardwinning beaches and spectators can view the action from the beach, Pier 60, various VIP viewing parties or from a boat viewing area in the middle of the track. The weekend kicks off Friday, Sept. 27, at the Baystar Race Village in downtown Clearwater, where spectators will see
42 GLB | Sept/Oct 13
second heat at 2 p.m. There are a number of viewing parties throughout the day and the weekend comes to a close with the Miss Clearwater Super Boat Corona Girl Pageant, and the official after race beach party from 4 p.m. onwards at Shephard’s Beach Resort.