bolin22

I am looking for some information on desert storm. Is it happening for 2021? We are considering going down for it and had a few questions. Is it a complete **** show? Or will we still be able to relax and have a good time? We have been to the Ozarks shootout a bunch of times and really enjoy it, but it is still possible to find a quiet cove to relax or a seat at a restaurant etc. Looking for first hand experience more about the town, traffic, boat ramps etc....thank you.

thisistank

DS21 and Supercat West are both a go. We're heading out 4/16 and staying through 4/26 for both events.
https://www.stormpokerruns.com/

We've been attending "Desert Storm" since 97 when it was the Hotboat Poker Run. So, I can give you a little insight into what to expect if you've never been. First, what are you bringing? Second, the thing I love about havasu and the DS run is that your boat is your destination. People always ask, can I come with out a boat and I always caution not too. Best place to see the shoot out is via water on a boat. If you're not running in the first heat of the poker run best place to watch that is up by 3 dunes by the damn via boat. Then there's pirates channel, the actually london bridge channel (think cruise strips), There's also Pirates restaurant, Topac Restaurant and havasu springs restaurants to eat via boat. There's also the sand bar, steamboat, 3-dunes and other places to go check out, throw an anchor or beach and watch the sites. They're all mini party cove type situations with everyone tied up or beached up partying. Steamboat is secluded and tucked back into a deep cove, 3-dunes you can see all the boats running on the lake past you and the sandbar (up river), everyone beaches up parties and you're are right next to people running up and down the river (some good speed passes to be seen). You spend a lot more time on your actual boat unlike say LOTO where you run your boat from point a to point b and get off you boat for hours while you wade in the pool and drink at a bar or Florida where you run from point a to your destination at point b and then that's pretty much it.

Will it be a "sh*t show"? I can say this. It is busy in town that weekend and it is busy on the lake that weekend but you can ALWAYS find a secluded area of the river or lake. Especially down by Havasu Springs or up past Topac on the river towards the Needles bridge. The problem with all of 2020 was havasu looked like a holiday weekend EVERY weekend and boating during the week looked like a typical weekend boating. Havasu was crazy busy all year because of no kids sports, working and schooling from home and I'm guessing stimulus money. So, the ramps can get crowded if you don't time it right (launch super early) and pull off either after dark or around 3 pm. There are two main ramps (main marina and windsor ramp (which actually has 2 different locations of ramps)) but there's a rumor that the Riviera ramp which is a brand new tract of custom homes with a public marina will be open to launch form. Also if you stay at the nautical they have a ramp of sorts. If you enter the poker run I do believe you have the option to slipping your boat at the London Bridge. The Main Marina still has slips but nothing over 30' so that cancels out most poker runners. Also, you can beach at the Nautical if you're staying there but they charge like $75 a night to beach your boat in the bay. The docks however are actually first come first serve for people staying there (kind've opposite of what it should be I think). The Heat hotel also has slips to the front of their place and they're across from the London Bridge Resort which is the home of the poker run. Also, the Condos next to the london bridge "The Isles" has private beach front boat parking in the channel.

It should be a pretty good show this year. It's said to be a go, so we'll see. Here's some pics to give you an idea of the weekend through out the years.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Also, usually get a ton of info about Desert Storm on riverdavesplace.com

thisistank

thisistank

thisistank

bolin22

awesome info, thanks for that. We have a 29 Fever so will def be running in the back haha. A friend of mine has a condo and slip available for us at London Bridge, sounds like that's the place to be. Gonna check out RDP for more info, Thanks again.

bolin22

We ended up renting a AirBnB on the Island for the week. I was hoping to find a slip to rent as well but sounds like everything is full full full. If anyone has a lead on a slip let me know. The wife and I are really looking forward to our first DS!

thisistank

Did you check the main marina? There were still slips as of a few weeks ago.


https://lakehavasumarina.com/index.html

bolin22

I did submit a reservation request through Dockwa, then called and they said I was 30ish in line on the waiting list...

thisistank