The Annual Offshore World Championship in Key West fills hotels, packs bars and restaurants, and provides an important bump to the start of the season. Each year sees even more boats and global teams participating in the week of races and special events in a community where the roar of engines can be heard from just about every major spot.
Race World Offshore (RWO), the organizing company, conducts races year-round across the United States, as far north as Chicago and Michigan City. Key West remains the most popular edition.
In sizing up other venues, RWO’s Larry Bleil felt reassured in his structuring of the annual Key West races. For one, many other racing events are cloistered around a single weekend. Teams coming to Key West have multiple days to race.
Additionally, this championship being the last race of the season, results in a less hectic state. As Bleil put it, you can come to Key West and enjoy the restaurants and bars plus the sporting and the camaraderie with all the other racers, boaters, and poker run participants.
“It’s like you’re at the end of the season and you breathe again. You’re ready to have a good time,” he said.
Highlights include the first Sunday when what is dubbed the “world’s fastest parade” goes down Duval Street. The spectacle sees teams and sponsors riding their towed power boats just like parade floats.
By Monday, teams are moving in the pits and setting up for Tuesday, when boats are put on the water to begin practicing. That night also marks the first big party downtown hosted across select bars before the races start the next morning.
Thursday night, after a day of practice, is the annual benefit and auction on Greene Street, which last year raised around $200,000 for Samuel’s House — a nonprofit women and children shelter. This year’s combined amount will be split between Samuel’s House and accessible dental care for locals.
The remaining days bring more action and events including the sight of hundreds of people in Duval Street getting upfront and close to all the participating parked boats. Sunday, another big race day, sees crowds take to the outer mole and Truman Waterfront before an awards ceremony at the amphitheater for the victors.
While the entertainment and sporting values are impressive, the economic impact is just as significant. The money paid by RWO for venues and essential services, big name sponsors, hotel stays by teams and spectators, and even the visits to the island’s numerous bars and restaurants offer big injections to local industries.
Lately, when Bleil goes out for dinner or drinks on the island, he said that a lot of people express gratitude for the boat races. They say, “Thank you for keeping it coming back. It gets our season started. We’re able to make Christmas now.”
This is a big engine for this town and Bleil believes people are starting to finally realize it.
“It’s huge.”
Race World Offshore
Key West World Championship
NOV 2-9
