Pirates on Lanier
 

Anyone doing that run this year?

We ran last year and plan to run this year. Good times.

After 3 years of attendance, I decided to attend the Thousand Island Charity Run on the St Lawrence this weekend instead.

My question is that since John Woodruff is no longer involved and there is a charity event on Lake Cumberland the same weekend for the 4 people that died last year and this event is now called a "family" poker run, what will be different? I assume many of the high performance folks from the south will head to Cumberland instead, but I do not know for certain.

Is this now a pontoon event or a real poker run? I wish the organizers the best and hope they raise tons of money for the children, but personally Ive been a bit confused by all the turmoil and since it is a very long haul for me, I decided to pass until I have visibility into what it will be. If I get great reports on this year, I will attend next year.

I know a LOT of people I know from here in FL are going to Honor their lost friend in Cumberland this year and pass on Lanier.

Wow, what a turn. So is this a campaign post?

I've heard of many that are going to Cumberland.

It's a shame but I believe the event will be very different than in the past.

This is NOT due to the accident but due to the changes in the presenting organization and the style of event the remaining members want to host. I wish them well, and I hope they raise a lot of money, but we will not be attending under the new format.

I will watch the changes and maybe we will reevaluate next year.

Last year was our first year, we had a great time. We just got into the poker run community about a year ago and coming from Miami, we rented a lakehouse with a dock and really enjoyed the freshwater, not having to trailer the boat, flush engines, and really lose 3hrs of our life every time we used it. We'll be attending again this year, renting another lakehouse for the week leading up to the Poker Run. I guess we'll see how it goes this year as compared to last year. Either way, the lake is fun and we'll be making the most of it. Just hope that water level rises because right now she's 8' lower than normal.

Keep an eye on the lake level. We are off to a really bad start this year at 8.5ft down. There are some bad spots right now on the lake

You are so right, we do not know what it is going to be like. Because we live on the lake we will participate and give everyone an update as to how it has changed and if it's worth the trip.

We will stay at Cumberland this year as well.

I think it's worth noting that an up and coming power boater, Tanner Howard (16), is organizing the memorial run with the support of his family and friends of the Reeces and McMahans.

For those that are interested in attending in lieu of the Lanier run it looks to be building to an amazing tribute to lost friends.

Anybody else notice that the Lake Cumberland Memorial Run and Lanier are on different weekends..? You could do both...

If you could get 2 weeks away to travel across the states then you sure could But a lot of working stiff's have to pick one or the other.

Yeah bro, I'm active duty military, I plan and save up for these trips for a year, I think I qualify as a "working stiff".

I was merely pointing out a fact. Its been mentioned several times that these events are on the same weekend, they are not.

Then you would be correct. They are back to back weekends in different states.

I have done Destin and LOTO Back-2-Back and it's a long time away but worth it. It Lanier was sure to be like the in the past I would try to do both of these as well.

Where can I find information about the memorial run?

If you have FB look up this young mans name "Tanner Howard ". He is putting it together and has an event page about it.

Basically you just go to their FB page and let them know you are coming so they have an idea of how many shirts if you wish to buy one. You might call the State park or Jamestown if you want a room for the weekend and the State Dock for a slip.

There is no entry fee, no registration, just a fun run up the Lake to Lee's Ford where you buy your own lunch, then a run to the dam for an afternoon tie up, and then a party (and band I think) that evening back at State Dock in their memory.

I have done this run for the past 5 years and I am local and a working stiff. So yes I will be attending this run, I think there will be some changes but hopefully they will be good. As a local guy I feel the need to support local events or they will go away. From what I heard the new rules were handed down from the State and Core not the event planers. But then again guys we have to remember A Poker Run is not a Race.

Georgia and Kentucky are not on opposite coasts and a mere few hours of driving beteeen. Just saying.

thanks

I didn't know that and google couldn't find any maps to help me with this. This is a real relief of a post.

If the changes were handed down from state agencies then that run is done for performance boats. If a non-poker run participant had gotten hurt/killed by someone doing the run the lawyers fees alone could exceed whatever money the charities raised since the inception of the run. While some of the promoters have deep pockets to defend themselves, some of the promoters were just there to help out so waiting to be served wouldn't be much fun for them.

The only change from the Corp that directly affected the run was no group/flag start. I hated that part anyway and it hasn't always had that anyway.

The change in "event style" was certainly a result of different ideas of the board members,

Cash -

Good info and something I was curious about. Let's see what happens this year. I suspect that attendance will be down substantially and perhaps that will cause modifications for the better the following year. It is one of the best venues in the country for a Poker Run and I certainly hope to be able to do one again on Lake Lanier.

That said,trailering 15+ hours to a pontoon fest is not something I'm interested in.

If I'm not mistaken, about 300 boats register for this event annually, many of which are local. Due to that, I don't think attendance will be down all that much this year, the event is still for charity and still on the same lake, but we will see. For the charity/children's sake, I hope the event continues without a hitch.

"Core" handing out rules ?????? The same Corps that can't even do their job in marking the lake??? After hitting "million dollar point" and they still did not mark it I have some serious heart burn and they want to make rules for others. Govt garbage!!!

Does anyone want to explain in more detail what "rules" these are that have changed from last year? With the exception of group starts...which won't stop friends from starting together anyway. No speed limit last I heard, booze is still allowed, women are still permitted on the lake...are there actual rule changes?

Not an official start but American Thunder will be leaving the dam at 11 if anyone wants to join me 😉

We will be there

Make that 3.

And 4