In less than two weeks, a large fleet of performance boats will descend on Lake Powell, more specifically Page, Ariz., at Antelope Point Marina for the ninth annual Lake Powell Challenge. From there who knows where they might end up over the course of a few days on the expansive Colorado River-fed lake that borders Arizona to the north of the Grand Canyon and flows into a good amount of Southern Utah.

Antelope Point Marina is all set to host the ninth annual Lake Powell Challenge (Sept. 14-17). Photos courtesy Antelope Point Marina.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 14, the crew at Antelope Point Marina is going to be ready to take care of all the event participants coming to the same high standards as usual at the incredible houseboat-driven facility. Registration begins Thursday at the marina’s welcome center and includes live music in the recently expanded restaurant.

“We’re expecting another big year in terms of fun, participation and fundraising for JDRF,” said Burl Griswold, general manager of Antelope Point Marina. “We are two weeks out and we already have $100,000 in donations. The support from the people who come to this event is overwhelming. The same can be said for all of the vendors who donate most, if not all, of their costs, including Sysco, which donates all of the food. We also get incredible support from the JDRF team in Utah—we couldn’t do this without them.”

Griswold, who expects the Lake Powell Challenge to raise at least a quarter-of-a-million dollars this year, said the event is adding a parade through the marina this year that he thinks will be cool for spectators and help keep the boats separated on their way out during Saturday’s poker run that eventually ends up at the lunch gathering on Lone Rock Beach.

He added that he’s looking forward to seeing several MTI catamarans and center consoles as well as the usual “huge armada” of DCB Performance Boats catamarans.

More than two dozen DCB catamarans participated in the 2016 Lake Powell Challenge.

“Tony Chiaramonte and all of the DCB contingent from as far as Oklahoma and Canada are amazing supporters of this run,” Griswold said. “We’re expecting a great show this year.”

Adrian Barrett, owner of Barrett Custom Marine in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., can’t wait to go back to Lake Powell with his friends and customers.

“What’s fun about the Lake Powell Challenge is that it is simple thanks to the houseboats and the restaurant being so contained, but it’s different every time you go because there are so many gorgeous places to explore,” said Barrett, who is going to be part of an eight-boat caravan from Lake Havasu to the event. “We’ve been going for five years, and every time we go we try new routes.

“Te fact that all of the money goes to charity makes it that much better,” he continued. “I can’t believe how much money they raise every year. It really is an incredible event. It’s also so relaxed—everyone is much more chill up there.”

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