On Sunday, hundreds of boaters took part in the 15th annual Leverick Bay Poker Run.
According to organisers, 224 boats took part in the Poker Run, with 140 hands played. The event dolled out $16,000 in cash prizes to the top three winners and $10,000 was donated to the Virgin Gorda Charitable Trust and $1,000 to VG Animal and Rescue.
“It was a massive event,” said Javier Lopez, of JL Marketing, who helps organise and promote the Leverick Bay Poker Run.
The event attracted boaters not only from the Virgin Islands, but the USVI, Puerto Rico, Miami and St. Martin to name a few.
Around 11 a.m., boats were guided out of North Sound by organiser Nick Willis, Leverick Bay Resort Manager, aboard Bitter End Yacht Club’s Corinthian. The starting line was located between Mosquito and Prickly Pear islands, but some chose to go through the cut between Virgin Gorda and Mosquito Island.
The first stop was at Harbour View Marina, then onto Scaramouche Restaurant at Sopers Hole. Just past Pockwood Pond, a slew of spectators lined the road cheering as the boats sped past.
By the time the boaters reached the third stop, Pirates The Bight on Norman Island, it was about 1 p.m. The Rendezvous Bar at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour was the fourth stop before the finish at Leverick Bay Resort and Marina. As organisers sorted through the winning hands, the participants were entertained by a fashion show poolside presented by Mr. Nice Guy.
Winners1. Ameka Hydman, four Kings, $8,000 (VI residence) |
Ayana Hull was participating in her first Poker Run aboard Bishop John Cline’s boat.
“I have just never came out on a boat,” Ms. Hull said. “This is my first time. It is fun. It is very fast paced. We are holding on.”
Also onboard were several friends and family members, including Ms. Hull’s daughter. They had just attended church and were not actually playing a poker hand, instead they were enjoying the boats, venues and parties. Ms. Hull added that there is something for everyone.
“We are just along for the fun… I think it is a fashion statement,” Ms. Hull said. “All the young girls are in their bikinis with their cover ups. It is about taking pictures and being in the moment. For the guys, I think it is the energy and rush of being on the water. For the women, it is about dressing up and looking nice.”
They joined the Poker Run at Norman Island and then headed to Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. They planned to finish out the Poker Run at Leverick Bay — the final stop.
Now that Ms. Hull has experienced the event she is looking forward to next year.
“I think we will have our uniforms,” she said.
Shadee Saleh, of Tortola, was competing for Team Crystal, but found himself on multiple boats after his teammate was delayed at Norman Island.
“He sent me ahead with a different boat,” Mr. Saleh said, clutching a Jack and an eight as he walked along the dock at VGYH.
He was feeling confident about his cards, but was unsure if he had winning hand.
He has done several Poker Runs in the past, but was enjoying this year’s event the most.
“More boats, more people, more fun,” Mr. Saleh said, as he stepped into a 27-foot Excalibur boat with a big-block engine.
“It is pretty fast,” he said. “And it handles well.”
On a nearby dock, Jimmy Bou, of Puerto Rico, sat comfortably at the back of his boat, Predator, at the fourth stop. He has done every Leverick Bay Poker Run during the last 15 years. Despite the economy in Puerto Rico, he said the Poker Run continues to be a draw.
“It is a really nice event, we like to come every year,” Mr. Bou said. “The enthusiasm of all the locals is great.”
He estimates about 25 boats made the trip from Puerto Rico for the Poker Run.
“You don’t have to be a genius to know that this is the slow season, so between this event and Christmas in July we bring a good economy,” Mr. Bou said. “A lot of us rent villas or stay in resorts. We are also spending money on food and fuel. This is a weekend we always mark on the calendar to come here and just enjoy the people we have known for many years on the water.”
Two years ago, Mr. Bou was involved in an accident at the starting line with Red Zone from St. Martin, due to mechanical error. Mr. Bou and others were hospitalised with serious injuries. He said the accident “opened a lot of people’s eyes.”
“People realised that we need to be on the safe side,” Mr. Bou said. “After my accident everything has been much better on the safety side. …But I am here and the accident didn’t slow me down. This is really a great event and I have to commend Nick [Willis].”
Karine and Jean Marie Rosemond of Red Zone were also back at the Poker Run for the first time since the accident. The owners bought a new boat, Red Zone II, and were honoured by the organisers as the official pace boat for this year’s event.
“It is great to have both of these guys back at this Poker Run,” Mr. Lopez said. “It just goes to show you how much they love this event.”
He added that there were no accidents this year.
Mr. Lopez will now help organise a poker run in St. Martin on July 24. Ultimately, the goal is to create a poker run series with the Leverick Bay event, St. Martin and the USVI. By doing so, the events will be on the Poker Run Association of Americas’ official calendar. The organiser said the VI can expect more higher-end boats in future poker runs.
“It will become the triple crown,” Mr. Lopez said. “That is our vision.”
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