> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: /llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Dave Naples Hawberry Poker Run is back for its seventh year - URL: /the-dave-naples-hawberry-poker-run-is-back-for-its-seventh-year/ - Published: 2026-07-26T01:00:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-26T01:00:55.000Z - Description: The Little Current Yacht Club is hosting the annual Dave Naples Hawberry Poker Run on August 1, featuring a 5-checkpoint small-boat poker game, barbecue, and charity support for the Lions Club. - Author: Ed Prudhomme - Tags: News, Haweater Weekend If you’re looking for a reason to get out on the water, relax with friends, and maybe win some cash, the Little Current Yacht Club has the perfect event for you. The annual Dave Naples Hawberry Poker Run is happening again on Saturday, August 1\. Boaters of all skill levels are welcome to join in this popular summer tradition. The event starts at 11 a.m. at the West Pavilion. Participants will use dinghies or other small boats to visit five checkpoints around the harbour, picking up a playing card at each one. The boat with the best five-card poker hand wins half the entry pot, and the other half goes to the Little Current Lions Club. Entry costs $30 per boat and includes a barbecue dinner for two after the event. The meal, with burgers or sausages, is sponsored by the Anchor Inn. Organizer Bruce O’Hare says the real draw of the event isn’t the prize money. It’s about bringing people together on the water. “The event has been taking place for about seven years now,” Mr. O’Hare said. “We try to do a couple of them a year, and we tend to take advantage of pairing them with local events.” Poker runs are often seen as races; Mr. O’Hare wants everyone to know this event is different. “The event is a fun way for power boaters and others to enjoy some watersports,” he explained. “Almost everyone has a Zodiac or another type of dinghy.” The most important thing for newcomers to remember is that speed doesn’t matter. “It’s important to note that the event is not a race,” Mr. O’Hare emphasized. “How fast you go doesn’t affect the outcome. The winner is the boat with the best five-card poker hand. The event is meant to be social and welcoming.” For everyone’s safety, each boat must be equipped with the required safety gear. At minimum, all participants should have properly fitted life jackets or personal flotation devices for each person on board, a whistle or sound signalling device, and a bailer or manual water pump. Operators must also hold a valid boating license if required by law for their boat type. By sticking to these safety guidelines, everyone can enjoy the day with confidence. This relaxed atmosphere has made the poker run a favourite for both experienced yacht club members and casual boaters. No matter what kind of small boat you have, everyone is encouraged to enjoy the trip as much as the finish. At each checkpoint, participants will be greeted by volunteers. Roy and Margaret will offer light refreshments at their stop, and Gord and Margo, along with Rob and Leslie, will also have snacks to keep everyone energized. After collecting all five cards, everyone will return to the West Pavilion. The social part of the day starts there with a Bring Your Own Refreshment (BYOR) barbecue at 1:30 p.m. If you’re arriving in a small boat, dinghy docking will be available at the West Pavilion so you can easily come ashore and join the festivities. Like many traditions, this event’s name has its own story. “The event was started by former Little Current Yacht Club Commodore Dave Naples,” Mr. O’Hare said. “For one reason or another, he could never remember the term ‘Haweater’ for the summer celebration. He used to always call it the ‘Hawberry Festival.’” The nickname stuck. Now, the “Hawberry Poker Run” is both a tribute to Mr. Naples’ sense of humour and a reminder of the spirit behind the event. “It’s a fun one for everyone,” Mr. O’Hare said. “It should be a fun day for experienced boaters, seamen, locals and tourists alike.” The Little Current Yacht Club also thanks Harbour Vue Marina for supporting this year’s event. Whether you’re an experienced skipper or just looking for a new way to spend a summer afternoon, the Dave Naples Hawberry Poker Run is a chance to enjoy Little Current’s waters, meet other boaters, support a good cause, and maybe win a prize. Registration is open now. To sign up, email commodore@LCYC.ca with your name, number of participants, and contact information. Please register by July 28 to ensure your spot in the poker run. Walk-ups will be accepted on the day of the event if space allows, but advance registration is recommended. Participants should arrive at the West Pavilion in time for the 11 a.m. start. The focus isn’t on speed, but on the cards you collect and the friends you make during the afternoon.