𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦~𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔 𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗢, 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟳

by Rene Torres

In 1927, the talk around the Valley was about the First Annual Regatta at Olmito Lake,  advertised as a spectacular water show by the fastest boats of the era. 

John Rutledge, who was in charge of the event stated, “citizens who are planning to turn out to the regatta need not be afraid that they will be compelled to see a lot of slow races.”

The mile course was prepared with stakes placed as frequently as possible— testing the turning skills of the men piloting the boats while the engines and boats themselves were tested on the straight-aways.

As soon as the sun showed its face over the horizon on Easter Sunday, thousands of people from throughout the Valley were seen making their way to beautiful Lake Olmito. The 3:00 PM race attracted five thousand people. 

While many were taking their front seats long before the races started— others were taking in the splendor of the shade trees, bathing and picnicking.

There were many thrills and one spill in which Frank LaRoche received an injured arm. Mr. LaRoche,  handling one of the fastest boats in the lake belonging to Al Parker of La Feria, was practicing turns at one end of the course when the accident occurred, providing a thrilling moment even before the races began. 

The overflow Easter Sunday crowd saw Frank cutting too close to a stake at the end of the course which led to a collision heard throughout the lake.

The boat flipped over and Frank, under the boat, was caught on the arm by a tiller, gashing it to the bone. 

Although the motor saw its last day, the boat was towed to shore and equipped with another motor and the show went on...

The races were slowed up a bit with the crowd losting some of its enthusiasm, but the spectators came alive again when it was announced  that boat stunting, a special event, had been added to the program.

Clyde Owens, the daredevil of Olmito Lake, boarded his step-plane motor boat and gave a spectacular demonstration of speed and stunts never seen before in the area, bringing a thunderous applause from both young and old.

The races were divided into “A” and “B” groups and concluded with an exciting free-for-all race showing the fastest times of the day.

In the “B” category, Jack Rutledge dashed to the finished line in his boat equipped with a Johnson Standard, ahead of second place winner Clyde Owens, who guided a Lockwood motored boat and Hayden Hayes third with similar equipment. The winning time was seven minutes and 28 seconds.

The Class “A” race, for motors with minimum piston displacement, was won by George Leonard’s “Baby Bootlegger,” powered with a Johnson light twin. His winning time was seven minutes, 15 seconds with William Bellinghausen coming in at a close second.

With the sun going down, much of the crowd left only to miss the fastest race of the day.  

In the free-for all-race, L.E. Merryman won the two mile competition in seven minutes and 12 seconds and Clyde Owens finished second.

Although five to six races were anticipated, only three were run, but still, the experience of being there and enjoying the beauty of Lake Olmito invigorated the spirit of Easter Sunday.

Attached: Herald ad of 1927