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Powerboat races begin today.
Neon yellow plastic palm trees that light up at night, an inflatable pool, two tractor trailers, two 50-ft powerboats and a staff of nurses, chiropractors, chefs and models – this is John Haggin’s traveling circus.
Haggin, 49, is the owner of AMF Offshore Racing and owns two of the more than 80 boats expected to hit the waters off Destin for this week’s Merrick World Cup Classic offshore powerboat races, which begin with the first race this afternoon and run through Sunday. |
Haggin employs a team of more than 60 people, specializing in a variety of vocations from mechanics and drivers to chefs, nurses, chiropractors and even and official photographer/videographer.
One member of Haggin’s entourage is Ken Warby, the world water speed record holder and a celebrity in certain circles.
On October 8, 1978, on Blowering Dam in New South Wales, Australia, Warby broke the world water speed record, when he traveled 317.60 mph in his jet-powered hydroplane boat – a record that still stands to this day. |
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When asked how it feels to travel at a speed that few can fathom, Warby said it’s not that different from someone driving a car to work. “It was just another boat ride on a nice day,” Warby said. |
A Boat Lesson: Marc Granet, driver of the Platinum Princess powerboat, talks to a group of students on Monday afternoon at the AMF Offshore Racing tent area in the Gulfarium parking lot, where the boat is parked in preparation for the Merrick World Cup Classic. |
Traveling for 32 weeks a year, Haggin said the life of a powerboat racer, team owner or crew member is one of constant change.
“We’re a lot like carnies,” he said. “The only thing that matters is that we have one heck of a good time. We get up in the morning and giggle about what we get to do everyday.”
Marc Granet is the driver of the Platinum Princess, a Haggin-owned 51-foot, turbine-powered boat capable of speeds in excess of 180 mph and has raced everywhere from Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri to Puerto Rico to the waters of Ontario.
Granet said often times he is torn between his life on the road as a powerboat driver chasing his dream and his sense of responsibility to his family. “A lot of times you’re crossed between your family and your life and your passion and what you love to do,” he said. “On one hand you have this passion, racing boats and on the other hand you have your responsibilities and your family, you know, the important things.”
Haggin said his home life in Wellington, FL is much quieter than the one he lives for more than half the year as the owner of a powerboat racing team.
“My wife loves me to death but hates this business,” Haggin said. “When I’m not entertaining 3,000 other people, I go home and basically become a hermit.” |
Some cots are available for crew members who want to rest Monday afternoon at the AMF Offshore Racing tent area in the Gulfarium parking lot. |
Still, Haggin said the race coming to Destin this week is the first of its kind, one in which all of the three major factions of offshore powerboat racing (the Offshore Super Series, Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association and Offshore Performance Association) will come together to participate in one event.
“It’s good that we’re trying to unite the tribes and bring everybody together,” he said. “All that matters is that we show the fans a great time.”
The boats were expected to be in the water testing Tuesday in anticipation for the start of the event, but rough water conditions in the Gulf could affect the plans of some teams. Haggin said his team isn’t worried about choppy seas.
“I say the rougher the better,” he said. “I want to see fiberglass flying everywhere. We’re rough water guys and this is supposed to be a gladiator sport.” |
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