Despite a forecast for sketchy weather that never really materialized, the Performance Boat Club of Canada kicked off its five-event 2017 season last Saturday with a charity poker run in Muskoka, Ontario. Sponsored by Birchpoint Marina and All Ontario Recycling, the run attracted 25 boats to Lake Muskoka and raised $20,000 for Camp Oochigeas, a summer camp for children with cancer.

The 2017 Performance Boat Club of Canada Season is off to a great start thanks to the Muskoka Poker Run. Photos courtesy/copyright Carl McBride/Speedonthwater.com.

“My goal was to raise $10,000, which would allow the organization to send at least two kids to camp,” said Meghan Brousseau, the president of the nonprofit fundraising club. “However, as I have said before and I’ll say again, our members are some of the most generous people you’ll meet and I am thrilled to report that we exceeded that goal and are donating $20,000 to the camp.”

Teya Vitko, the events development coordinator for the camp, which has locations in Muskoka and Southern Ontario, appreciated the efforts and generosity of the poker run participants.

For a closer look at the first event of the 2017 Performance Boat Club of Canada season check out the slideshow above.

“I was pleased by the warmth and genuineness of the members in the Performance Boat Club of Canada community,” said Vitko. “Their effort to make positive change in their community for an incredible cause is strong and apparent.”

The poker run course took participants from Lake Muskoka, through the locks in Port Carling and up to Lake Joseph for lunch at Clevelands House Resort. Best hands went to Miguel Mendes in his 36-foot Nor-Tech, Kevin Primmer in his 42-foot Statement and Sam Maye in his 42-foot Fountain.

Said Meghan Brousseau, “Everyone had a great day.”

Set for the July 7 weekend, the club’s next even is the Georgian Bay “Blast Around the Bay” $100 Fun Run benefiting the Georgian Bay Hospital Association.

Related Story: Canadian Performance Boat Club Releases 2017 Schedule