The Clearwater Super Boat National Championships of the Super Boat Racing Series took over the city for the weekend of October 2nd – 4th.

On Friday, Coachman Park was transformed into “Race Village,” hosting the race’s dry pits, and where the public had a chance to meet the drivers and see the boats before the races. On Saturday afternoon, practice runs were held in advance of the races, followed by a concert and fireworks display on Clearwater Beach that evening. The races themselves took place on Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on a 5.3 mile race course beginning off Pier 60, extending north along Clearwater Beach, and looping back. An estimated 20,000 spectators lined the beach, and more than 1,200 boats of all sizes crowded the 2.5 mile stretch alongside the course.

In February, swarms of sports fanatics descended on the St. Pete/Clearwater area for the Super Bowl. This weekend, they’ll return for the Super Boat.

Presented by a host of sponsors including Bright House Networks and the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, the inaugural Clearwater Super Boat Offshore National Championship speeds into town October 2-4 for three days of family-friendly, full-throttle entertainment.