Heading into its 11th year, Englewood Beach Waterfest set for October 10-12 will enjoy a new designation this year. The longstanding Southwest Florida powerboat-racing venue will host the last event of the American Power Boat Association Offshore World Championships recognized by the Union Internationale Motonautique organization.
That event also is the season finale for the APBA National Championship Series, which began with Thunder On Cocoa Beach and the inaugural New Orleans Grand Prix.
“APBA liaison and Offshore Racing Commission member Ralph Young has been working on this for months,” explained Ray LaBadie, who like Young is on the Englewood Beach Waterfest organizing committee. “After months of cleanup from the total devastation left by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Englewood Beach Waterfest also received full support from the county commissioners and community service director who oversee all parks and facilities.
“Englewood Beach received an unprecedented amount of storm surge that left five feet of sand inside most residences along the Charlotte and Sarasota County portions of the beach,” he continued. ”The south side of our beach parking opened in early May. Beach parking and pavilions will be open completely by July 23.”…