The Shootout... 30 Years Ago!
We’re sure you already knew that the Shootout at the Lake of the Ozarks is the largest unsanctioned boat race in the United States. But did you know that it’s only ONE MONTH away?! Okay, maybe you already knew that too. Surdyke Yamaha is here to tell you a few things that we’re sure you don’t know about the 30th Annual Shootout at the Lake of the Ozarks… Or maybe you do. Either way, this timeline is too cool to miss! Straight from the best boat dealer at the Lake of the Ozarks (and the Shootout’s main website), here’s the biggest and fastest boating event of the summer!
1988
The very first shootout was held! Participants included Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Lake Ozark Fire Districts. Local boaters simply wanted to establish who had the fastest boat by racing around the Lake. The event was first called the Lake Rescue Shootout.
1993-1996
Each year, the Lake Rescue Shootout continued to grow! More and more businesses and merchants began to participate in the ad book, creating a bigger hype for the event. The event was then renamed to the Shooters Shootout, or Natoli’s Shooters 21 Benefit Shootout (in honor of the Chairman of the Shootout board at the time, Carmelo Natoli.) Soon, more and more participants joined the event. In 1996, Gravois and Mid-County Fire Districts joined in on the fun along with Sunrise Beach, Osage Beach, and Lake Ozark Fire Districts. Throughout the years, the event has helped the Lake Area Fire Departments’ water rescue efforts.
1997-2000
Yet another name change! In 1997, the event officially became known as the Lake Fire Rescue Shootout. The event grew in size and attendance and started to gain quite the following. More and more boats began to participate each year. At the turn of the century, a whopping 80 boats made the run for a total of 128 passes through the course. Because of the widespread popularity and the huge number of involvement, boats now needed to be separated into classes by length, size/number of motors, and hull design. The final tweak to the race was the allowance of boats over 22 feet in length.
2002-2006
Between these four years, the Lake Fire Rescue Shootout exploded in popularity! They brought on several new, big-name sponsors to contribute to the race and the ad book. An incredible record was set in 2006 by Dave Callan and John Cosker, and their speed was 208 mph. That’s crazy!
2007
This year was the first year the Shootout was filmed on location and aired on Speed TV. The Poker Run (where one card is drawn at each stop and the best poker hand wins!) was also extended to two days. If you’re interested in participating in this year’s Poker Run, visit https://lakeoftheozarksshootout.org/events/poly-lift-poker-run/ for more information and registration.
2008
At the 20th Anniversary Shootout, the location was changed! Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill held the new and improved Shootout due to the demolition of Shooters 21. As excitement grew over the relocation, spectator stats reached over 60,000! New fans watched as the 2-day races sped on.
2010
This year was monumental for the Shootout. A new committee was brought on to increase the event from just a weekend to an entire week. The addition of 6 new events helped to set a record donation of $70,000 to 20 different charitable organizations. Not only did this event turn into a fun, electric atmosphere, but it held strong to its charitable roots.
2011-2012
Records were set in 2011! Over 100,000 fans watched a new champion be crowned, $70,570 was donated to 20 different charitable organizations, and 493 volunteers donated over 5,700 hours to bring the community together for this incredible event. In 2012, records were broken. $100,000 was donated to 22 different charitable organizations in the Lake area, and 569 volunteers donated over 6,400 hours to make it all possible.
2013
For the 25th Anniversary, the entire week was filled with Shootout festivities. The Shootout Hall of Fame inducted 10 new members from all 25 years. To top it all off, the Shootout Committee was able to hand out $115,000 to 22 different charities and Fire Departments!
2016-2017
In the short span of three years, the Shootout’s charity total rose from around $100,000 to almost $200,000! In 2016, 9 years after relocating to Captain Ron’s, $943,000 in total has been donated back to charities at the Lake. This year, for the 30th Anniversary, we’re sure to pass the $1 million mark of donations!
Now that you know a little bit of the history of the famous Shootout held here at the Lake of the Ozarks, you should come out and have some fun! Surdyke Yamaha will be there having a blast, so grab your boats and meet us out on the water. The best boat dealer at the Lake of the Ozarks is looking forward to this awesome week on the Lake, are you?!
Highway Store Location Marina Store Location Surdyke's Port 20
5863 Osage Beach Parkway 1660 Yamaha Drive 5395 Spruce Lane
Osage Beach, MO 65065 Osage Beach, MO 65065 Osage Beach, MO 65065
(573) 348-6575 (573) 348-9283 (573) 348-3178
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