HeatWave Poker Run
September 21-22nd 2001
Lake Havasu Arizona

The long summer was coming to a close, southwestern boaters seemed to be worn out by the many events attended this year and registration for the fall run was very light.  We speculated on the economy and the numbers, and kept our expectations low.  Then, as the tragedy of September 11 hit us as a physical blow, we discussed whether to cancel the event! Our members said "NO" and "Lets designate this event to our nation and fellow citizens, donate the charity portion of the prize moneys to the Red Cross Disaster Fund, and remember the victims and hero's of the attack on our country!"

Registrations poured in and with the walk up registrations at the event, we hit 150 boats and over 550 people.  Everyone was upbeat and extremely considerate of their fellow boaters. "What a great group of very special people" was Eve Skinner's (Owner of the Nautical Inn) comment to me, after Saturday nights party.  

With a $2300.00 donation raised by the poker hands, $735.00 raised by AHBA and Total Maine ( who supplied the shirts) for commemorative America shirts sold for Red Cross donations, $2000.00 given to Havasu for Youth directly from the event proceeds by AHBA staff. Then the matching of all the donations by Gilbert Engineering, helped make this event one we can all be proud of! 

Our Sponsors have been great and their generosity helped make this event special!  Bob Teague of Teague Custom Marine as our title sponsor has stepped up big time with many prizes and gift certificates.  Budweiser, as our beer sponsor provided prizes and memorabilia for our reception and dinner party.  Our thanks to our great sponsors such as Marine Machine, Commander Boats, Nordic Boats, Sleekcraft and Magic Boats, Sun Country Marine, Total Marine, Marine Max of Las Vegas, Kachina Boats, PFM Marine Products, Maherajah Skis, Imco Marine, Boat Trader Magazine of Arizona, Nordskog Marine Products, Triad Performance Marine, Billet Marine, Performance Marine, West Marine, Slide Anchor, Lifeline Jackets, The Boat Brokers of Arizona, Arizona Discount Marine, Larry's Engine and Marine, Napier Enterprises (Truck Tents), Gaffrig by Livorsi, and many more.  Please check out our sponsor links on the Entrance Page.

We again rented a large tent and tables for our registration party.  Planned a 50's - 60's beach party theme and hired the "Famous Unknowns" Band  to make the party even more fun.    StageTech of LA and Las Vegas donated the stage, lighting, and video projection system.  That really set the "stage" :) for our great video production  "THE NEED FOR SPEED" of our spring poker run, put together by Marv Wessel.   Everyone really enjoyed seeing their boats on the 9X12 foot screen during the party.  Once again, our staff fun run to Havasu Springs for the Friday late lunch was a big hit. We warned Havasu Springs Restaurant this would be a big one, and it sure was.  Over eighty people joined us for this relaxed start of our event.

Registration was a much more relaxed then the spring event, helped by the express check in for all those who completed their registration paperwork in advance.    Overall, what a great event.  I enjoyed talking to many of you, thank you for the kind words and appreciative comments!  These pictures help tell the story, but can't really show the special American spirit  and generosity of this group of people.  Thanks so much for coming, enjoy the pictures, and have some great fall and winter holidays!!! 

Jim Nichols

 
These photo's were provided by AHBA Staff Photographer Bill Griffin, Erik Anderson of Hot Boat Magazine, and some of our members. Photo Compact Disks will soon be available for $15.00 each and have all of the following pictures and more, about 1300 pictures.  Contact Bill Griffin at midmagic@qnet.com or 661-285-3261 to order your own copy of these pictures!