OPA in PC

[Scott]

New title and thread! Looks like the money and Logistics were a no go with OSS so she made a slight change:D

INAUGURAL “LAKE ERIE BOAT WEEK” SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH ON
LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2009
Port Clinton to Cap Summer of Lakeside Fun with National Event

(Port Clinton, Ohio – February 12, 2009) – A major, national event is coming to the north shore of Lake Erie! The inaugural “Lake Erie Boat Week” will be a week-long series of boating-related events and parties, culminating in an Offshore Performance Association (OPA) powerboat race on Labor Day weekend 2009.

“I am excited and energized by the possibilities of this inaugural Lake Erie Boat Week event. It is a dream come true for me,” said Event Director Janie Vogel. “After envisioning and planning this event for around 10 years, it’s finally real. The minute I started talking about this new event, the entire region got behind it, offering help and support. It will be an amazing way to finish off a great summer season in the Lake Erie Islands area.”

The week-long celebration begins on Tuesday, September 1st, with the first day of a Powerboat Regatta for pre-registered pleasure boaters, and will include competitions in navigation, docking and maneuverability for skilled captains, along with on-shore parties and entertainment. The Powerboat Regatta continues through Thursday, September 3rd, when a “Fastest Boat on Lake Erie” Competition is held, a title that has never been bestowed, allowing boaters in each of 10 different speed classes a chance at bragging rights for the following year.

Thursday, September 3rd, the competitors and staff from the OPA will descend on Port Clinton, setting up in Racer’s Village, which will occupy the Municipal Pier and Waterworks Park in downtown Port Clinton. The boating festival will continue on Friday, September 4th, when a huge Racer’s Welcome Parade and Party will take place on the streets of Port Clinton.
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LAKE ERIE BOAT WEEK - continued

The first on-water action for the OPA regulars will come on Saturday, September 5th, when their 180-mph boats take to the shores of Lake Erie (near the Municipal Pier) to test for the afternoon. Sunday, September 6th is Race Day, when the OPA rockets run their course for a nice purse, points and prestige!

“For anyone who has not visited this part of Ohio, you won’t want to miss Lake Erie Boat Week this year, as it will be a great reason to come to the Islands area and see all of the recreation the area has to offer, both on the shore and on the water,” Vogel exclaimed. “It really is a true vacationer’s paradise with something for everyone. And if you are a boater or water-lover, this is a must-see event - a truly great way to showcase our beautiful Lake Erie and all of its resources.”

Racer’s Village vendors will be open, and entertainment and other festivities will take place daily, open to the public for the nominal price of a wristband. Also included in Racer’s Village will be a kid’s play area and a skate park, and walkways line the shore allowing spectators to spread out for prime viewing of the racing activities, or to simply enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Volunteer Race Committee Captains and general event volunteers, volunteer boats, vendors and corporate partners (both trade and cash) are currently being sought. For more information on the event, or to become involved as a sponsor, vendor or volunteer, please contact Janie Vogel at racingpr@oh.rr.com. Information on the OPA Racing Series can be found at www.oparacing.org. The www.LakeErieBoatWeek.com website is currently under construction, and will be available by March 1, 2009. All relevant event information can be found at that location thereafter.

[THRILLSEEKER]

I hate to sound like a pessemist, but I will belive that this is happening once I see it listed on a racing org's website.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

Shes on this board...

[Underdog88]

I'm an optimist!

[Scott]

Shes on this board...

Are you saying Janie is on this board?? :confused:

[Scott]

Outdriveman

Do you have any ideas or input on what folks would do to launch or dock a boat in the area for the festivities? I'm not being sarcastic I just don't know the area (like I should) The last time I was in the area I had to turn around half way in the channel and tow someone in:p (now that was sarcasm):Bunny1:

[THRILLSEEKER]

I'm an optimist!

I am too, I really hope this race happens, just curious why last week it was OSS, and now this week its OPA.:Boating98:

[THRILLSEEKER]

Shes on this board...

Yes, hopefully Ms. Vogel will chime in with some good solid news about this race.

[Scott]

I am too, I really hope this race happens, just curious why last week it was OSS, and now this week its OPA.:Boating98:

The way I understood OSS required more than what was possible from a Financial and Logistical aspect. For example # of cranes needed to haul boats in/out. This is second hand info but given the area it makes a lot of sense.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

Outdriveman

Do you have any ideas or input on what folks would do to launch or dock a boat in the area for the festivities? I'm not being sarcastic I just don't know the area (like I should) The last time I was in the area I had to turn around half way in the channel and tow someone in:p (now that was sarcasm):Bunny1:

Coastal marine has the closest ramp.... but if i were from out of town i would launch at the catawba island state park. its only a four mile ride to the portage river and ive never had a trailer fall off the ramp, they also have park rangers there for security in the parking lot. plenty of transient docking at the rivers mouth (even more as the charter captains give up) maybe something like this will encourage port clinton to give up on the hotel/ waterpark idea and instead put a badass eight lane ramp in downtown for races, poker runs, and the bread winning fish tournements.

[THRILLSEEKER]

I havent been to the Catawba ramp in a few years but if my memory serves me right there isnt a whole lot of room directly in front of the ramp to manuver. Also you may be able to fit a crane along the seawall there, like I said its been a while so my memory could be wrong. Another problem is that theese guys are going to want the pits to be near the launching point.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

I havent been to the Catawba ramp in a few years but if my memory serves me right there isnt a whole lot of room directly in front of the ramp to manuver. Also you may be able to fit a crane along the seawall there, like I said its been a while so my memory could be wrong. Another problem is that theese guys are going to want the pits to be near the launching point.

Thats why port clinton needs to get a nice ramp.

[Ironmanwb]

Yeah the Catawba ramp can get tricky if you have a boat much bigger than 30ft. Even my 20 CC is tough sometimes when the ramp is busy.

Mazuricks is the best public ramp by far.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

Hopefully Mrs. Vogel chimes in on here. i think the resources of the members on the board would greatly help the success of this event.

[Janie Vogel]

Hi everyone:

Thank you so much for your interest in the inaugural Lake Erie Boat Week.

I am really interested in what you say, and want to answer as many questions as possible, but I hope you'll understand when I say that - at this point - my time should be spent on making this a successful event, so I may not post very often...as I'm kinda busy!

I would love to spend all day on the message boards chatting with everyone (really, that's true - I'm a message board junkie), however, that would not be very productive for someone putting together a national event with only about seven months to go, would it?

Please be patient with the amount of information being released. There are very specific reasons why things are being done in the order they are being done. But know that just because you are not hearing a lot of details right now, does NOT mean that they are not being addressed or accomplished.

Every day I'm getting significant items crossed off of my list, and I'm getting a LOT of support from every single entity that needs to be behind this event in order to make it FANTASTIC for everyone.

You'll hear all of the juicy details as soon as I feel they should be publicly known (hopefully sooner rather than later).

But again, I'll reassure you that this event is real and it is happening on Labor Day week this year.

As for transient dockage, public ramps, etc., I'll be putting together a type of "spectator guide" to this race that will answer all of your questions in plenty of time to make travel arrangements.

Official website should be up in two weeks or less at www.LakeErieBoatWeek.com.

Keep posting your questions and comments, and I promise to check in here as often as I can. But, just like the rest of the Internet, don't believe everything you read. This event is well under way, and a lot of positive things will be able to be released in the next month.

Thanks for your patience in me, and support of this event!

Janie Vogel
Event Director, Lake Erie Boat Week

[Ironmanwb]

I just got the email from Janie with the info for anyone that want's to volunteer.

[RHC]

post it up man,, who is the title sponser ? and which sanctioning body or race series is it ??:pumpkin:

RHC

[Schweitz58]

The Powerboat Regatta continues through Thursday, September 3rd, when a “Fastest Boat on Lake Erie” Competition is held, a title that has never been bestowed, allowing boaters in each of 10 different speed classes a chance at bragging rights for the following year.

The idea of holding such a "title" actually sounds pretty fun. Wonder what the trophy looks like? ;)

...Not that my lead sled would ever be competing. But the concept sounds like a recipe for a good time. :Pirate7:

[Scarab3DMC]

I just got the email from Janie with the info for anyone that want's to volunteer.
e-mailed her last week

[ROGUE]

The idea of holding such a "title" actually sounds pretty fun. Wonder what the trophy looks like? ;)

...Not that my lead sled would ever be competing. But the concept sounds like a recipe for a good time. :Pirate7:

I wonder if they have a cruiser class...LOL

[glassdave]

post it up man,, who is the title sponser ? and which sanctioning body or race series is it ??:pumpkin:

RHC

OPA has been working toward this race. Should be a good one, I'd love to run the cat in that bay. Usually its pretty snotty that time of year but every time i come out to Kellys for labor day seems like prevailing winds are out of the east/northeast. Spotty though one day its like glass next days its washing machine. In other words a typical day on lake Erie :D

Does the bay there get much protection from Marblehead that time of year? I grew up right down the way on Long Beach and we always got blasted.

Rogue i think your boat may just qualify for class six and actually be able to sleep six as well. :Pirate7:

[DonziGirl]

I don't think that Marblehead shelters much but Catabwa may :D (but then again I'm tipsy so take that into account).

[RHC]

What ever you need Dave ,, just ask and we will try to be there for you, Just don't ask me to look after your navigator!! :D :girly: ;)

RHC

[glassdave]

oops . . . yea . . my bad . . . Catawaba :D


I think my navigator was gonna look after you Roger :D

[THRILLSEEKER]

Keep us informed Dave, I think there a lot of people here willing to help once we hear that this thing is a definate go.

[RHC]

oops . . . yea . . my bad . . . Catawaba :D


I think my navigator was gonna look after you Roger :D

Dat's a big job someday's, I hope she is up to the task!!

and I agree , the shore line at Port Clinton is not where I would want to make a big fast turn with a Cat , or a big V bottem for that mattter !

RHC

[Scott]

Keep us informed Dave, I think there a lot of people here willing to help once we hear that this thing is a definate go.

Let me make this clear I want this race and would welcome anything positive in our area!

But with that said before you commit to spending anything including time and cash Please wait for the official announcement and proof that funds are obtained to make this a 100% done deal.

[scarabIII]

Last I heard everthing except the funding is a go. Has anyone heard how shes doing at raising the money? She was supposed to go to city counsel for it.

Maybe we should email people in the city to show support for this event. To sway them into releasing the funds.

[scarabIII]

Here is a list of contacts I got off there web site.





MAYOR
Debbie Hymore-Tester
1002 E Perry St Home 419-732-3012
Office 419-734-5522 ext. 7
pcmayor1@portclinton.org
PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL
Linda Hartlaub
1004 Columbia Ave
Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
419-734-5908
pcpoc@portclinton.org

AUDITOR
Steve Benko
815 Glendale Dr
Home 419-734-0815
Office 419-734-5522 ext. 4
pcauditor@portclinton.org
LAW DIRECTOR
George Wilber
211 E Second St
Office 419-734-4060
pclaw@portclinton.org

TREASURER
Edna L. Hansen
307 E Eleventh St
Home 419-734-2423
Office 419-734-5522 ext. 5
pctreasurer@portclinton.org

SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR
Robert J. Berner
1868 E. Perry St.
Cell 419-341-1290
Office 419-734-5522 ext. 8
pcssd@portclinton.org

DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION
Jeff Bugbee
1868 E. Perry St Office 419-734-5522 ext. 3
jbugbee@portclinton.org

RECREATION
Tracy Colston
1868 E. Perry St.
Home 419-734-5936
Office 419-732-2206 ext. 6
pcrec@portclinton.org

[THRILLSEEKER]

good call!

[scarabIII]

Anybody email city counsel in support of this race?

[BraceYourself]

The land at the channel of port clinton that has just sat dormate forever would make a perfect spot. The race boats use a crane to launch and would be easy to do there.

I sent this email to Janie...

Janie,

You should send out weekly emails to keep us up to date on if the race is going to happen. I'm just a boat enthusiast, but if the race is going to happen I would donate $250. I bet you could get a lot of guys to donate this amount, leopa members, OSO, IP, SOS, etc... Limit indivdual donations to 100 people and make 100 t-shirts with the 100 peoples names on them. Then you have 25K. If the race doesn't happen people get their money back.

Jeremy Berman

[THRILLSEEKER]

The land at the channel of port clinton that has just sat dormate forever would make a perfect spot. The race boats use a crane to launch and would be easy to do there.

I sent this email to Janie...

Janie,

You should send out weekly emails to keep us up to date on if the race is going to happen. I'm just a boat enthusiast, but if the race is going to happen I would donate $250. I bet you could get a lot of guys to donate this amount, leopa members, OSO, IP, SOS, etc... Limit indivdual donations to 100 people and make 100 t-shirts with the 100 peoples names on them. Then you have 25K. If the race doesn't happen people get their money back.

Jeremy Berman

Your math is a little off:D but I know what your saying. I really think that theres a lot of people ready to pull the trigger on funding, they just have to see a REAL commitment first. People and businesses can and will give $$ and time to this but first we need reassurance.

[WOTW2E]

250 X $100 = $25K on my little handheld calc.....whats it come out to on yours?

[BraceYourself]

Your math is a little off:D but I know what your saying. I really think that theres a lot of people ready to pull the trigger on funding, they just have to see a REAL commitment first. People and businesses can and will give $$ and time to this but first we need reassurance.


$250 X 100 people = $25,000

[BraceYourself]

Also my thought is get 100 people that are enthusiast only. Meaning leave the $1000 donations to the business owners of port clinton and surrounding areas. Have another shirt for them. :Pirate7:

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

Your math is a little off:D but I know what your saying. I really think that theres a lot of people ready to pull the trigger on funding, they just have to see a REAL commitment first. People and businesses can and will give $$ and time to this but first we need reassurance.

the old catch 22 cant get opa without money cant get money without opa

[THRILLSEEKER]

OK, OK, I was skimming! the math is correct;). Works for me, I just need a positive commitment first.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

could be like all of those "browns superbowl champoins" shirts i have...lol.
maybe she`ll have a kind of town hall meeting soon to out line and give this thing some direction for those of us wanting to help make it happen.

[THRILLSEEKER]

Any new news as of today????

[scarabIII]

I think the way it works is Host city commits to $75k to opa, And then opa commits to make it happen.The city then can try and recoup the money or I am sure they have funds allocated for economic advancement for there community. The city will make some money back by issuing permits to vendors and such.

That's why I think its important that city officials know this event will bring people to the community that would not visit without it. Thus creating a week long boost to there economy.

[BraceYourself]

Anyone that has driven down lakeshore drive knows the city has no money.

[THRILLSEEKER]

They are probably waiting for it to get bad enough to get state $$ so they can rebuild the entire road from scratch. It needs it, as I'm sure you know passing another dually is enough to make your ass pucker.

[BraceYourself]

They are probably waiting for it to get bad enough to get state $$ so they can rebuild the entire road from scratch. It needs it, as I'm sure you know passing another dually is enough to make your ass pucker.

Imagine my lambo with all those pot holes...:Pirate7:

[DonziGirl]

Consider it an evasive driving course :D

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

They are probably waiting for it to get bad enough to get state $$ so they can rebuild the entire road from scratch. It needs it, as I'm sure you know passing another dually is enough to make your ass pucker.

the roads in town have been bad my entire life. they spent all their loot trying to get the water park/marina off the ground when all thay need is a badass ramp with and ampitheater and a couple dozen transient docks. something like that could support all sorts of events... fact is i think the groundwork has been laid out fairly well for this thing however im looking forward to the event organizer laying out some direction for help. and i think the advertising needs to start as soon as a sanctioning body commits. this is a great venue for this type of event i remember when they had something like this in front of coastal when wilson owned it. they put up bleachers all along lakeshore drive that filled up it was pretty neat.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

wasnt even brought up at last nights council meeting, however they are going to budget 100,000 for "finding a developer for the waterworks park" i think a little should be set aside for the opa to show what kind of events a developed park would bring in. other business, put-in-palooza is on for march 21 at nicks road house

[scarabIII]

I don't think its going to happen without the commitment from the city. I HOPE I'M WRONG. I think money's got to be put up to lock in opa then try and recoup it. I don't think opa can commit and then hope we come up with the money later. They have to have prize money to bring in boats plus hire cranes and other stuff.

Has anyone heard from Janie Vogel about the progress?

[Janie Vogel]

Stay tuned and please be patient - there's a process to everything being done right now, and sometimes that process takes time. But expect an exciting announcement to come soon.

FYI - there's a lot of mis-information in this thread.

FYI2 - the City of Port Clinton has been very supportive of this event.

[OUTDRIVE MAN]

Stay tuned and please be patient - there's a process to everything being done right now, and sometimes that process takes time. But expect an exciting announcement to come soon.

FYI - there's a lot of mis-information in this thread.

FYI2 - the City of Port Clinton has been very supportive of this event.

let us know the bad info so we can quash it right now.
im sure the city is gonna do anything they can to bring in tourists.


goes to the old saying that a rumor can make it halfway around the world before the truth has had a chance to tie its shoe laces