Mid North Coast Speedboat Club has found a new venue for the Fred Williams Boaties Reunion.
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The event will take place at Cape Hawke Harbour, Tuncurry on July 1 and 2 under the name Fred Williams Boaties Reunion 10th Anniversary Presents Power Boats on the Great Lakes, Tuncurry.
The speedboats were originally part of the Forster Keys Progress Association’s Family Fun Day, which is on the same weekend.
The groups have gone separate ways as a result of the speedboat club no longer holding membership with the Australian Power Boat Association, a requirement for the progress association’s event regulations.
Mid North Coast Speedboat Club publicity officer Rhonda Wojcikewycz said it was a relief to have approval for a new venue as it saved those who had already booked accommodation and airfares from interstate and overseas.
The event is named after water skiing legend Fred Williams, who was born in Nabiac.
Rhonda said when Fred found out the event might not go on he was “devastated”.
“When he found about the new venue he cried and said he never thought it would get to happen in that spot,” Rhonda said.
“He’s just ecstatic now. It’s all for him in the long run.”
Rhonda said the venue will allow more space for the boats, with 100 to 120 boats expected to turn up.
Special guests to the event include Ken Warby and his son David.
Ken holds the world water speed record.
He set the record of 464.46 kilometres per hour and then broke it again with 511.10 kilometres per hour in Blowering Dam near Tumut in 1978.
Ken and David plan to re-create history by preparing a new boat for David to try and break his dad’s record.
Rhonda said the pair will bring the completed boat to the event and do a few laps - but won’t be attempting the record just yet.
“The Fred Williams Boaties Reunion will be the launch of their project to the world,” Rhonda said.
Rhonda said all sorts of boats will be showcased across the two days.
“I think it will be an absolutely huge event,” Rhonda said.
“It’s a reunion for a lot of people inside the boating community.”