Ten months ago West Michigan Offshore, a nonprofit organization seeking to unite West Michigan’s countless go-fast boat enthusiasts both on and off the water, incorporated with a goal to get 50 members in its first year. I wrote about its kick-off in this same column (see Welcome West Michigan Offshore) and have checked in with Chris Dekker, who is one of five founding board members, several times since then.

DeWain DeCaire ran his Fountain in the West Michigan Offshore Labor Day Weekend Fun Run in September. Photo by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

It turns out Dekker and the other volunteer board members—Jeff Tibbe, Derek Powers, Curt Watkins and Roger Zuidema—couldn’t have been more pleased with the local response to the club’s first season. Not only does WMO have more than 120 members, the organization is expanding its involvement with The Chase Charity Powerboat Event in Muskegon and the Grand Rapids Boat Show for 2016.

“We’re proud of the fact that West Michigan Offshore recruited so many members in our first year, and can’t wait to see the growth that lies in the future,” said Dekker, who recently announced the club’s 2016 calendar. “I’m also excited to be able to focus more on the production and value of our events rather than the infrastructure and behind-the-scenes stuff we had to take care of to get the club up and running.”

Read more: West Michigan Offshore Preparing for Busy Summer Season