There’s something special happening on Long Island on May 30th. The performance boating scene in New York has always been strong and I know some of the people in the area who are passionate boaters, so it only made sense to officially bring a poker run to the area.

What started as a conversation around Jason Riemer’s kitchen table a couple years ago has rapidly grown into one of the Northeast’s most exciting grassroots performance boating events. Founded by Jason Riemer, Alexandria Schnepf, and Joseph French, the second annual Great South Bay Poker Run is shaping up to be even bigger than the breakout first year that drew more than 50 boats from across the region.

And perhaps more importantly, it captures something that has always made Long Island boating culture unique; community. For decades, Long Island boaters have met up on week nights and weekends running for the pure fun of it. I believe Tanner Park was and still is a meetup point for many of the people that will participate in this run.

Unlike some poker runs that can feel exclusive or centered around only the biggest boats, the Great South Bay Poker Run was built with a different mindset. Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re running a 21-foot performance V-bottom, a center console, or a 40-plus-foot offshore machine, the goal is the same, get out on the water, enjoy the day, and celebrate the boating culture that has deep roots in the area.

That community atmosphere helped fuel the success of the inaugural event. Boats of all sizes packed the Great South Bay for a day that felt equal parts poker run, reunion, and local boating celebration. From classic Long Island-built performance boats to newer center consoles and sport cats, the number of boats reflected the broad appeal of the local scene itself.

And Long Island has earned its place in performance boating history.

A classic Sutphen shows some of the NY boat heritage

The Great South Bay and surrounding Long Island waters are the birthplace of some of the most iconic names in offshore and performance boating, including Activator Boats, now reborn as Rage Powerboats, along with Progression Powerboats, Superboat, and several others that helped define East Coast go-fast culture for decades. The area’s mix of protected bays, open ocean access, sandbars, marinas, and waterfront gathering spots created the perfect environment for performance boating to flourish. Jason, Alexandria and Joseph have brought in incredible sponsors and partners, including Flynn’s Fire Island as a meeting point with 5 stops on the run. And Pursuit Boats is a title sponsor.

Conor Queenan in his 22 Progression with Glen Foster from Bayrippers

But beyond the boats themselves, Long Island’s boating culture has always been driven by relationships. Many owners, builders, riggers, and enthusiasts have known each other for years, often generations. It’s the kind of community where people help each other at the dock, share setup advice, lend parts, and spend as much time talking boats as driving them. And if you know some of the guys, there is always a healthy dose bragging rights and smack talking. That’s just how New Yorkers are.

That spirit is a big part of what makes the Great South Bay Poker Run feel authentic. Organizer Jason Reimer will be running his Yellow 22 Activator that he has raced and run for year.

Rather than trying to manufacture a corporate-style event, the organizers leaned into what already existed, a passionate local boating community that simply wanted another reason to get together on the water.

Now entering its second year, the event appears poised for significant growth. More boats, more spectators, and more excitement are expected as word continues to spread throughout the Northeast performance boating scene. You can register up until the last week before the run. Incredible sponsors are part of what makes these events possible; Rage Powerboats, Pursuit Boats, East Shore Marine, Sunrise Window Cleaning, Alexandria’s Marketing, PASNY, Oakdale Yacht club, Bayrippers, Maximilian Watches, Electra autobody, FastSigns Nassau County, Scara Industries and more.

For many participants, though, the appeal remains simple: good people, great boats, and a classic day on the water in one of the most historically important performance boating regions in America.

The run is May 30th 2026. For more information or registration details, visit https://gsbpokerrun.com/