Roar Offshore promises big weekend on Fort Myers Beach

Thousands of people are headed to the beach this weekend for the Roar Offshore boat races. After not having the race last year, people on Fort Myers Beach are back and ready for more.

People lined up on Thursday to watch the parade with the main event on Saturday. This is because Roar Offshore is expected to bring a many as 70,000 people.

Those who plan to compete this weekend are ready to get their hands back on the throttle. That is Nate Hunt’s job for the Apache Predator race boat that is racing this weekend.

“I run the team,” Hunt said. “Connie helps me, Anthony, Wayne, Jody, all of us. We’re a family team.”

It’s that family team that makes racing his life. That family team made it possible for him to be at Roar Offshore. His good luck is a bracelet he wears with a special message.

“Livin’ right. That’s kind of been my motto for this year after battling cancer,” Hunt said. “I’m in remission. I’m doing great, and little stuff that goes on, but for the big part, racing is giving me a new direction and got me back into the good part.”

The good part is here for Hunt. He’s here to enjoy it and win a little.

“We’re definitely going to make them fight for it, if they’re gonna try and take away our championship, hang on because we’re definitely going through the wall,” Hunt said.

Fans are ready for the ride as well.

“Bring a lot of good friends,” Christie Prenger said.

“Be patient,” Dave Diamond said.

“I just have to say enjoy life,” Beckie Faulkner said.

“Just socialize,” said Jim Wolf, the CEO of the Avalon and Tahoe pontoon boats.

“Sun, beach, water,” said Chuck and Mary Duncan.

But Hunt told us, of course, they’re ready to bring home a win this weekend. They are Southwest Florida’s local team.

After the race, they head up to Englewood to finish out the year and bring home the championship.