Powerboats Flock to Leverick Bay For Poker Run

If you are a BVI power boater, participating in the Leverick Bay Poker Run, held this Sunday, May 26, is a not to be missed event. Each year throngs of power boaters, girls in bikinis and guys looking buff in board shorts are among those that attend this fast-paced event.

_{Lovesick Bay Poker Run attracts people from throughout the Virgin Islands.}

The excitement is palpable in this highly orchestrated event. Participants travel a pre-designated route, drawing a card at each stop until they complete the route, once again at their starting point at the Leverick Bay Resort & Marina. At the end of the journey, participants holding the best poker hands are crowned Poker Run champions. Prizes are given for first, second and third place hands. for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place hands.

Registration was at 8am on the dock at Leverick Bay, or participants could complete their pre-register online in advance to save time. The excitement was palatable as powerboat captains and crew took off for the 11am start in Leverick Bay. All boats had to be back at Leverick Bay by 5pm with their hands in hand.

There’s plenty to celebrate at The After Party starting at Leverick Bay at 5pm, with the Prize Giving Ceremony, Mr. Nice Guy Fashion Show, Live DJ’s and cold drinks with your host, Heavy B.

*_{An aerial view of the Leverick Bay Poker Run.}*

The popular event attracts thousands of power boating enthusiasts from throughout the BVI, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Over 2,000 people and 300 boats are expected, with prizes, totaling over $15,000. As the organizers put it: “The Leverick Bay Poker Run is the most exciting and anticipated nautical event in the British Virgin Islands with friends and families from all over the Caribbean and the U.S. uniting for one unforgettable day.”

A significant portion of donations from the event’s sponsors – be it monetary, gifts or in-kind sponsorships – and a portion of the Poker Run participants’ entry fees, will be donated to a variety of charitable foundations on Virgin Gorda.

Past charitable recipients have included The Virgin Gorda Charitable Trust, VGROC and ARC. Over the past 18 years, the Poker Run’s sponsorships and donations donated over $155,000 to charity.

The Poker Run was founded by Nick Willis, a long-time manager of Leverick Bay Resort, who was looking for a fun event to sponsor for charity. Nick passed away in January last year and will be missed by the many who remember his boundless energy and enthusiasm for the Poker Run and everything Virgin Gorda.