Powerboat Magazine Presents Long Beach To Catalina Offshore Power Festival
 

VENTURA, CALIF.-Powerboat magazine announced today its sponsorship of the Long Beach to Catalina Offshore Power Festival. Powerboat, the world's leading performance boating magazine, is this year's presenting sponsor of the four-day event in downtown Long Beach, Calif., July 19-22.

The Long Beach to Catalina Offshore Power Festival was inaugurated in July 2006 when two offshore racing events successfully combined with the renowned Catalina Water Ski Race for an entire weekend of high-speed fun in the sun.

The exciting, action-packed weekend kicks off with an event Thursday evening at the Yardhouse at Shoreline Village, followed by Kid's Day on Friday, the Catalina Water Ski Race on Saturday, and the Long Beach 2 Catalina & Back personal watercraft race and the Rum Run offshore race on Sunday. Racers from all over the country will be on hand to race across the Pacific Ocean in their desired craft from Long Beach to Catalina and back.

"When it comes to racing on the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach will be the place to be this summer," said Powerboat's Gregg Mansfield. "Powerboat has a nearly 40-year involvement in the sport and we hope to be part of this great event for the next 40 years."

This year, Powerboat magazine is stepping up its involvement with the event. For five years, the publication has supported Kid's Day, an outreach event for special needs children that provides boat rides at Long Beach Marine Stadium. The magazine also has covered the Catalina Water Ski Race consistently throughout the race's 58-year history.

Staying true to its heritage, Powerboat is particularly excited to be a part of the Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (POPRA) Rum Run offshore endurance race. This test of man and machine, which took place in one form or another since 1911, returned with huge success in 2006 after a 17-year hiatus.

Celebrating the 96th anniversary of the endurance race, POPRA has asked a member of the Nordskog family to present the original Bob Nordskog Memorial trophy to the race team that shows the most sportsmanship. This was the original Rum Run trophy that in later years was turned into the Nordskog Memorial trophy. Nordskog, Powerboat's founder and legendary offshore racer, was an integral part of POPRA and the race for many years. POPRA board members plan to design a replica trophy that will presented to the winning team.

For more information, visit www.seafestivallongbeach.com.