I just returnned from the AOF national meeting held in Spokane, WA. It was a huge success in terms of the meeting and getting things done. The national banquet was also the best I have ever attended in over 40 years of attending these things. We had around 200 people present from Long Island, NY, Florida, to Minnesota and every where else in the country. What a good time organized by locals and new AOF officers, Mike Sattler and Kevin Martin.
However, the best part of the show was the coming together of two local clubs that were finally able to put aside any personal differences that were plaquing them for the last few years. The reunion and merger brought me to tears.
Two clubs, Northwest Water Competition, and State Line Outboard Racing Association were both maintaining, but not growing, and in fact probably dying a little. They have now teamed up again. Each will keep thier own sovereignty while vowing to attend each other's races for the betterment of racing. Each will be an AOF club and will in fact, stage the AOF nationals in Moses Lake, WA this summer.
For our sport to survive, we are going to have to call upon everyone to put aside differences and vow to work together. It was awesome.
Connie