Forget the mythology about nothing great in performance-boating ever happening off Southern California’s western shore. True, Golden State go-fast boat enthusiasts lack the abundance of organized go-fast boating opportunities afforded to their Midwest and East Coast counterparts, but great options—from Long Beach Harbor to San Diego Bay—do arise now and then.
Catalina crossing first-timer Christopher Hills, who owns this 32-foot Spectre catamaran captured off the Avalon Casino, and company enjoyed the island so much that they stayed the night. Photos courtesy/copyright by Erick Bryner/Firedrill Productions.
Such was the case last Saturday morning when a group of folks gathered in Long Beach for a casual fun/lunch run to Avalon Harbor, a little less than 30 miles across the Pacific Ocean on Catalina Island. Organized via a Facebook page by Southern California-based powerboat enthusiast Corey Vodvarka, who owns a 30-foot Eliminator Eagle V-bottom, and professional photographers Erick Bryner and Daren Van Ryte, the event attracted 25 to 30 boats from various coastal and inland cities in Southern California. They were even joined by a couple of high-speed waterskiing teams getting in shape for the upcoming Catalina Ski Race.
“It was perfect,” said Bryner, who shot from a helicopter that landed on the island’s tiny airstrip after the crossing so the photographer could head to Avalon—via a 30-minute taxi ride—to shoot for the rest of the day.
For more images from Saturday’s Catalina Island fun run, check out the slideshow above.
and then