On June 25, the final meeting was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida to give the drivers instructions. The watercraft enthusiasts were to embark on this exciting journey, riding their personal watercraft to a foreign country and back. Formula participated in this adventure with our owner volunteers by supplying safety vessels to escort the group along the way. We had some Formula owners join in on this adventure from South Carolina, Illinois and Texas. Eight Formulas in total were ready to head to Bimini early the next morning.

On June 26 the group launched at Miami’s Haulover Marina and then headed out the inlet to be greeted by two to-four-foot seas at the mouth of the cut. The calm winds quickly built to over three to-five-feet while the 54-mile trip designed to be an "adventure of a lifetime" took us across the Gulf Stream which threw four to-six-footers. Several stops were made along the way to allow the riders to re-group and have a bottle of water. Stamina was tested, as well as mental focus during the challenging ride, but with the help of the Formula owners leading the way. A little over three hours later the crystal, clear Bimini water greeted the group cheers and a feeling of accomplishment followed.

After clearing Customs, everyone was treated to lunch and then had the afternoon free to settle into the accommodations and relax. Thursday evening, Formula hosted a welcome party at the Bimini Beach Club—a place we have come to call home during our annual photoshoot each May.

The next day a leisurely poker run event was held to escort everyone to places of interest around Bimini. Stops at the Sapona sunken concrete ship to swim and snorkel, airplane crash sites and lunch at the Big Game Club in Alice Town were enjoyed by all. The last stop of the day was the legendary Bimini road—off the shoreline where Casa Grandé used to sit before being torn down. The afternoon weather was perfect and everyone had a great time swimming and snorkeling looking for the mysterious Bimini Road.

On Friday evening, an awards dinner and cookout was held dockside, and the poker run cards were revealed. There were separate winners for the PWC riders and Formula owners with great prizes for the top three card hands. First place went to Formula 353 owner Barry Detlefsen of Texas winning Formula Gear jackets. Second place was won by 280 BR owner Jules Abadi of New York, winning Formula polo shirts and hats and third place went to Frank and Cheryl Turner who trailered their 280 SS all the way from Rock Hill, South Carolina, to participate—they won a pair of Formula race tee shirts. I would like to say thank you to Bob and Jill Schneider, 34 PC owners who spent numerous hours organizing the escort boats and all the poker run activities—your assistance was greatly appreciated.