Story and select photos by DinaRella / Additional photos from HK Powersports, G Connelly & M Carboni
On and off the water, the 2024 HK Powersports Poker Run hit new highs for its 23rd annual go-around breathtaking Lake Winnipesaukee, reeling in both a record-breaking boat count and charity amount. Waking up to temperatures of 90-plus, and a turnout of 80-plus Bajas, Donzis and Hustlers, to familiar head-turners like Buddy Thomas’ 37 Outerlimits and Kim and Shane Brady's Regal 36 is how last Saturday began. Trumping the prior summer's tally, netting over $175,000 in Easterseals NH aid, and upping the grand total raised since 2001 to nearly $2 million... is how it ended!
Laconia's Holy Grail for hot boats and bikes, the NazBar reminds you of a northern slice of laid-back Key West life. The only difference? Wadding ducks have replaced the roaming roosters you see down south! Dedicating the HK Powersports Land & Lake Poker Run to Cynthia's father, proud U.S Marine and patriarch of the NASWA, Peter Makris, made it all the more special.
Brian Connelly, Lake Winnipesaukee's original Nor-Tech dealer and the founder of North South Performance Boats, who passed away last November, was also honored for the first time this year. RDP had a chance to talk with his sons Gary and Greg at the Friday evening meet-and-greet function given by fellow Nor-Tech owners and dynamite party hosts Garry and Nancy Robertson. "Our dad would be so proud to see so many people giving back to such a great cause, which he was always very involved in," said the boys, both of which run the business and kept busy all weekend.
Racers Rally in Support
The weekend also welcomed some friendly competition with offshore racers and local residents Daren Kittredge, Chris Hopgood and Christian Mccauley making time for some non-checkered flag fun. Adding an extra dose of adrenaline to the run, team owner/driver of the Super Stock-class 32' Doug Wright Northwing Offshore Racing, Kittredge, ran his pleasure cat 390X MTI with wife Kristin, while Hopgood did the run in his CELSIUS raceboat. Joining him in the #S-43 Doug Wright was his multi-time, world champion throttleman Jay Muller, in from New Jersey with his partner Leah.
Another surprise guest who actually made a special trip north to pick up his recently purchased 1959 vintage mahogany Shepherd was Stu Jones of the Florida Powerboat Club. "I always wanted to own a wooden boat. I fell in love with one up here, and it seemed to be worth the effort to come up during the poker run to get it. I'd heard such good things about this event. It's been great to see people who are so spirited and focused on the charity aspect, as well as, running into club members. On Friday, I got out with Andrew Rocco on his 39 MTI and today with Garry Robertson on his quad 500-hp outboard-powered center console. I'm amazed at the beauty of the lake. Being able to see entire area by water was super," said Jones.
Sharing Jones' sentiment, the rustic New England landscape, wooded shoreline and crystal-clear spring-fed waters made for some postcard-perfect powerboating. What's more, it was awesome to have the freedom to hit the poker run stops at Watermark Marine Supply, East Coast Flightcraft and Shibley's at the Pier in any order you wish. As for the ride on Jason Galvin's 38 Top Gun Wound Up during the actual run... well that's unwinding into a whole other story coming soon.
Back on land for the NASWA's pirate-themed Buccaneer Bash, once cards were handed in, Mix 94.1 FM got the after-party going, until it was time for "tossing those gold coins into the Easterseals NH treasure chest" during the live auction. CEO Maureen Beauregard even made a welcome visit expressing her gratitude to the local community and the swashbuckling powerboat-pirates for all the support!
On and off the water, the 2024 HK Powersports Poker Run hit new highs for its 23rd annual go-around breathtaking Lake Winnipesaukee, reeling in both a record-breaking boat count and charity amount. Waking up to temperatures of 90-plus, and a turnout of 80-plus Bajas, Donzis and Hustlers, to familiar head-turners like Buddy Thomas’ 37 Outerlimits and Kim and Shane Brady's Regal 36 is how last Saturday began. Trumping the prior summer's tally, netting over $175,000 in Easterseals NH aid, and upping the grand total raised since 2001 to nearly $2 million... is how it ended!
Donations and Dedications
Headed up by HK Powersports, the family-run business also donated the grand prize Sea-Doo GTI SE 170 to the impressive list of raffle items including Italian and Caribbean getaways, VIP tickets to Andrea Bocelli and one-of-a-kind sports and music memorabilia. Another one-of-a-kinder, albeit, not a piece of memorabilia, but a place where memories are made, was the NazBar & Grill. Under the assiduous efforts of third-generation owner Cynthia Makris, the NASWA Resort hosts the yearly July affair.
Laconia's Holy Grail for hot boats and bikes, the NazBar reminds you of a northern slice of laid-back Key West life. The only difference? Wadding ducks have replaced the roaming roosters you see down south! Dedicating the HK Powersports Land & Lake Poker Run to Cynthia's father, proud U.S Marine and patriarch of the NASWA, Peter Makris, made it all the more special.
Brian Connelly, Lake Winnipesaukee's original Nor-Tech dealer and the founder of North South Performance Boats, who passed away last November, was also honored for the first time this year. RDP had a chance to talk with his sons Gary and Greg at the Friday evening meet-and-greet function given by fellow Nor-Tech owners and dynamite party hosts Garry and Nancy Robertson. "Our dad would be so proud to see so many people giving back to such a great cause, which he was always very involved in," said the boys, both of which run the business and kept busy all weekend.
Racers Rally in Support
The weekend also welcomed some friendly competition with offshore racers and local residents Daren Kittredge, Chris Hopgood and Christian Mccauley making time for some non-checkered flag fun. Adding an extra dose of adrenaline to the run, team owner/driver of the Super Stock-class 32' Doug Wright Northwing Offshore Racing, Kittredge, ran his pleasure cat 390X MTI with wife Kristin, while Hopgood did the run in his CELSIUS raceboat. Joining him in the #S-43 Doug Wright was his multi-time, world champion throttleman Jay Muller, in from New Jersey with his partner Leah.
Another surprise guest who actually made a special trip north to pick up his recently purchased 1959 vintage mahogany Shepherd was Stu Jones of the Florida Powerboat Club. "I always wanted to own a wooden boat. I fell in love with one up here, and it seemed to be worth the effort to come up during the poker run to get it. I'd heard such good things about this event. It's been great to see people who are so spirited and focused on the charity aspect, as well as, running into club members. On Friday, I got out with Andrew Rocco on his 39 MTI and today with Garry Robertson on his quad 500-hp outboard-powered center console. I'm amazed at the beauty of the lake. Being able to see entire area by water was super," said Jones.
Sharing Jones' sentiment, the rustic New England landscape, wooded shoreline and crystal-clear spring-fed waters made for some postcard-perfect powerboating. What's more, it was awesome to have the freedom to hit the poker run stops at Watermark Marine Supply, East Coast Flightcraft and Shibley's at the Pier in any order you wish. As for the ride on Jason Galvin's 38 Top Gun Wound Up during the actual run... well that's unwinding into a whole other story coming soon.
Back on land for the NASWA's pirate-themed Buccaneer Bash, once cards were handed in, Mix 94.1 FM got the after-party going, until it was time for "tossing those gold coins into the Easterseals NH treasure chest" during the live auction. CEO Maureen Beauregard even made a welcome visit expressing her gratitude to the local community and the swashbuckling powerboat-pirates for all the support!
