United Sportsmen Airboaters Alliance New Years Day Cookout

Today's (January 1, 2025) adventure to the annual United Sportsmen Airboaters Alliance proved one thing, the spirit of past USAA president, Jerry Wetherington, is alive and well. Jerry led the USAA for many years and this New Years Day event was always his favorite. It was not just the great food, or the promise of starting a new year of airboating, but the gathering of so many club members who had become his extended family. This cookout for the club members was just a little way for the club to enjoy and give back to the members who support the many functions of the USAA. Many club event fund raising efforts are donated to area community projects including organizations like the Ronald McDonald House for Children, the local fire department and others.

- Article and photos by David "Straycat" Laviolette

This year there was a nice congregation of high-powered race boats in attendance for a bit of just for bragging rights unsanctioned racing. These guys invest thousands of dollars into their "thunder" boats to enjoy the camaraderie of other "love the speed" airboat racing enthusiast and the cheers of the several hundred onlookers who enjoy the racers as they challenge themselves, their machines, and their fellow racer. Several of the long-time airboating racers were here on this