High Performance, Higher Spirits: Inside the Brett Galbach Memorial Fun Run
If there’s one thing that unites every single person at the marina—from the guyrunning a 25-horsepower fishing boat to the absolute madmen piloting multi-million dollar offshore rigs—it’s the shared love for being out on the water. Last Saturday, that shared bond was dialed up to eleven for the annual Brett Galbach Memorial Fun Run. All I can say is wow.
We’ve all been to boating events, but this was something entirely different. It wasn’t just a run; it was a masterclass in how one incredible human being can touch an entire community. The sheer volume of boaters, sponsors, and a rock-star, tight-knit organizing crew who poured their hearts into making this happen was nothing short of spectacular.
Get ready, because we’re diving into a day filled with high-horsepower monsters, miniature pirates, and a beautiful reminder of why the boating community is unmatched.
A Run for Every Hull: From Small Boats to Offshore Monsters
The absolute best part of the Brett Galbach Memorial Run is that it completely embodies the man himself: he just wanted everyone on the water to have fun. Period. There was zero boat snobbery to be found.
The fleet was a glorious mix of everything that floats:
Small local cruisers catching the wake.
High-performance offshore monsters tearing up the liquid highway.
A massive community coming together to celebrate a legacy.
This event got that job done flawlessly. Whether you were rocking a modest pontoon or a vessel that sounds like a fighter jet at idle, you were part of the family.
"He just wanted everyone on the water to have fun. This event got that job done."
Mini Pirates, Captain Morgan, and Face Tattoos
The organizers—huge shoutout to the amazing Danielle and the entire crew—did not just plan a boat route; they put on an absolute carnival on the water. Throughout the run, there were a number of designated locations where boaters could stop and hunt for a mini pirate to win a bottle of Captain Morgan (Brett’s absolute favorite drink!).
If you weren't hunting for hidden pirates, you were probably:
Posing for epic photo ops with life-sized cutouts of Brett.
Rocking temporary Brett face tattoos.
Slapping logo stickers on everything in sight.
Stocking up on sponsored coozies, hats, and swag.
Riding Shotgun in a 45ft Donzi
I was lucky enough to be out there shooting alongside two incredibly talented creators: Flyin By Photography and Nauti Photography. Keeping up with this fleet is no joke, but I caught the ultimate lucky break.
I got to ride along with JBS Racing in his absolutely beautiful 45-foot Donzi powered by triple 500s. Huge special thanks for the ride—that boat is a pure masterpiece of engineering and a total rocket ship on the water.
Beyond the adrenaline of triple 500s, the day was a beautiful reminder of how amazing the boating community truly is. I ran into old friends who have been traveling from all over to attend poker runs for years, alongside the local friends we are blessed to see every single summer. The impact of these friendships is truly incredible to witness and feel.
Your Turn
Brett will always be deeply missed, but the footprint he left behind is a blueprint for how to be a truly good human being.
Did you get out on the water for the Brett Galbach Memorial Fun Run last weekend? What was your favorite piece of swag or your best memory from the stops? Drop a comment below and share your stories with the Wiparty crew!
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