Before the fastest boats on the water hit the lake, Friday will be the chance for everyone else to make waves at the 4th annual Shootout Poker Run.
The event helps supplement fundraising for this year’s Shootout charities and is a chance for old friends to re-aquaint or new friends to be made.
Six restaurants are on the list for boaters to make their way to, drawing a card from each. The goal is to get the best five card stud poker hand and earn a top prize.
This years’ stops are: Big Dicks Halfway Inn, Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill, Captain Galley’s, Franky and Louie’s, Dog Days and Horny Toad. The party heads back to Coconuts for the dinner and awards banquet held afterwards.
The cost is $125 per couple and covers goodie bags, event t-shirts, both poker hands, access into the parties kick-off parties Thursday and Friday nights and an arial photo of the boat.
A helicopter will be following the boaters from restaurant to restaurant capturing all the best moments from the air.
Pre-registration starts Thursday night, Aug. 21, at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill.
On Friday, registration continues before the three-staged start.
Last year, more than 100 boats and almost 300 people participated in the poker run.
In addition to the Poker Run, Greg Surdyke of Surdyke Yamaha, is putting together the third annual Dam Run. The PWC run is going to be held on Thursday, Aug. 21. The run will take riders from Surdyke’s Marina off State Route KK in Osage Beach at the 26-mile marker to Truman Dam and back to the race village at Captain Ron’s at the 34.5-mile marker, a distance of about 135 miles.
There’s several stops included in the run to pick up a playing card and fuel up.
“It’s not a race, it’s a leisurely ride,” Surdyke said. Along the way, riders take time to do a little skiing, wakeboarding or some ropeswinging.
“We saw some really interesting stuff last year,” Surdyke added, noting the eagles in particular. “With a waverunner, we can go exploring down coves that might be too shallow for boats, but for us, it’s no big deal.”
For a $100 donation that will go to the groups the Shootout is supporting, breakfast and lunch are provided. The run gets underway at 10 a.m. and ends when the party reaches Captain Ron’s. Breakfast starts at 9 a.m.
Donated prizes will be awarded to top hands.
Schedule of events
Thursday, August 21
12 to 3 p.m.: Staff Lunch Meeting Event Bag Organization
5 to 10 p.m.: Arrival sign in and pre-registration gathering at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill.
Friday, August 22
7:30 to 10:45 a.m. - Arrival sign in registration at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill
10:45 to 11 a.m. - Mandatory Drivers meeting at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill
11:15 a.m. - Fleet gathering for the three staged starts Coconuts Beach Bar and Grill.
11:20 a.m. - First group staged start - Pace boat leads out, all boats stay behind pace boat until released. 90 MPH and faster
11:25 a.m. - Second Group Staged start - Pace boat leads out, all boats stay behind pace boat until released. 70 MPH to 90 MPH
11:30 a.m. - Third Group Staged start - Pace boat leads out of NO WAKE. All boats stay behind pace boat until released. 70 MPH and Under
12 Noon to 1:15 p.m. (Helicopter Continues): Big Dicks Halfway Inn opens for first card stop.
1:30 –2:30 p.m.: Captain Ron’s Opens for Second Card Stop
2:45 to 3:30 p.m.: Captain’s Galley Opens for 3rd Card Stop
3:45 to 4:30 p.m.: Dog Days Opens for 4th Card Stop
4:45 to 5:30 p.m.: Franky and Louie’s for Fifth Card Stop
5:30 p.m. – Card Turn In Starts @ Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill
5:45 to 6:30 p.m.: Horny Toad Opens for Sixth Card Stop
6 p.m. - Stereo Shootout put on by Waves and Wheels
7 p.m. - Card Turn In Ends and Band Starts
8 p.m. - Shootout Ends for Awards and Prizes
8:15 p.m. - Band Starts for Remainder of Evening
