South Shore Outboard Association’s 2016 Open House and Drivers School – As the start to the 2016 New England hydroplane racing season gets closer, the South Shore Outboard Association (southshoreoutboard.com) and the American Power Boat Association will be conducting an open house and “dry-land” driver school on April 2, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM in Easton, MA. The afternoon program is free of charge and will include an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about hydroplane boat racing to view several race boats on display, talk with local drivers and attend a “dry-land” driver school. The school will include an instructional film about the sport of Stock Outboard Racing, an opportunity to try on the required racing safety gear including special coveralls, life jacket and helmet, climb into the cockpit of one of the boats and participate in a question and answer period. The dry-land orientation is the first of several steps to prepare the novices for the opportunity to drive an actual racing hydroplane in competition. For those interested in taking the next step to racing, the drivers will be able to attend an on-water orientation to learn some of the basics of driving a race boat.

The opportunity is available for drivers from the age of 9 – 16 years old in the Junior Division and 16 and up in the Stock Outboard (Adult) Division. “Today is just the first step for anyone who is interested in participating as a volunteer or driver,” said Bruce Nichols, who is heading up the Junior Driver outreach. “Before they are ready to race they will have time on the water in specially prepared Hydroplanes and receive instruction from some of the best racing veterans in the business.”

Through the generosity of the American Power Boat Association and other local racers, the South Shore Outboard Association has put together a training fleet of several arrive-and-drive boats for the new driver program. The concept allows for interested drivers (and their guardians for Junior Division divers) to attend the prerequisite training and then rent (at a nominal fee) the racing boat and equipment for their first race events. All the equipment is included, as well as help and supervision at race events. This type of program allows a new driver or junior parent to try out the sport prior to having to make an investment in a boat and the other equipment. As explained by Scott Deware, father of Junior Division competitors Lily and Eden Deware, “some kids will take to it and want to continue while some will find it to be an activity that they are not interested in after a race or two. This program is a very cost effective way to try it out before having to think about making any real financial commitments.”

Throughout the 2016 season, the South Shore Outboard Association will conduct additional orientations and on-water driving schools for both juniors and adults interested in learning how to drive a hydroplane race boat. If you are interested or know someone who is interested in attending this program, please contact Bruce Nichols at oldpropnut@comcast.net for additional information.

So save the date, Saturday April 2, with a planned start time of 1:00PM. The Event location is easy access from Rt 495 to 479 Bay Road, S. Easton, MA 02357.