‘Pottahawk Weekend’ makes waves again on Lake Erie

The historic tradition dating back decades brings people of all ages to Pottahawk Point in Lake Erie. CTV's Karis Mapp climbed on board.

Hundreds of people, along with more than 350 boats, gathered at Pottahawk Point on Sunday for the annual party on the water.

The tradition at the sand bar, located near Long Point and Lake Erie, dates back decades.

“Usually, I just kind of tour back, sit back and watch,” said Emerson Van Wyk, a boater waiting to launch at the Turkey Point Marina. “I’m not normally a part of it because I don’t really like to be a part of it, but I like watching it because that’s the most entertaining part.”

Nearby, in Port Rowan, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) set up to patrol the party on both land and on the water.

“We’re just trying to ensure that everybody is behaving in a safe and responsible manner,” Const. Andrew Gamble told CTV News. “Any major incidents, those are few and far between on a year to year basis.”

The biggest concern for OPP is people operating boats while under the influence.

“The same penalties apply whether you’re impaired, driving a vessel, operating a vessel or driving a motor vehicle. If you are focused on making safe, responsible decisions, you will never have an issue,” Gamble said.

Another concern is people getting stuck, without a way to get back to dry land.

“They hitchhike, for lack of a better term, and we’ve seen instances in which they have tried to swim back. That is so unbelievably dangerous,” said Gamble.

Dan Scruton and his wife Tracey say they took part in the Pottahawk Point party for at least 30 years but, this year, they’re sitting out.

“I could go out there to visit them [but] I’m getting too old for it,” Dan said.

“It used to be a bunch of boaters [who got] together and [had] picnics,” Tracey explained. “Then the bands would come. We picked them up at Turkey Point on the barge and we would tow [them] with the tugboats.”

OPP said safety was the priority.

“I think sometimes when people see police roll up in a police vessel, they think it’s the fun police but, again, it’s just in the interest of public safety,” said Gamble.

“There’s a lot of good people over there and they’re having fun,” Dan added. “It’s similar to Friday the 13th in [Port] Dover with the bikes, except this is boats and people are visiting. Yes, there’s drinking on the boat sometimes, but there’s also eating [and] having a barbeque.”

By 1 p.m., there was only one instance where police had to step in. They confirmed it was not alcohol related.