Viking’s Key West Challenge Has Quickly Become a Favorite
In 2014, when Viking Yachts announced the first “Key West Challenge” it was a novel idea that would seemingly compete with other Spring activities for attention. However, it quickly drew the attendance of many close Viking allies, becoming a favorite event for customers, dealers, and business partners. Since the inaugural year, Bluewater Yacht Sales partners and customers have been active participants, as the company’s founding family, the Halls, can attest.
Situated in early April, the Viking Key West Challenge takes place in what amounts to a “shoulder season,” serving as a segue between the winter fishing season in the tropics and the summer tournaments hosted further up the East Coast. The Spring season is generally an active one in the Florida Straits, but has been a hit or miss proposition some years. While participants predominantly target sailfish, the mahi mahi run is typically also occurring and a healthy mix of Gulf Stream bonito are always crashing the spread, keeping the anglers and crew busy. “They can be super annoying,” recounts Kelsea Hall. But that’s one of the draws of the Keys—a delightful variety of species and experiences during some mostly predictable weather.
Always Worth the Trip
The event’s relaxed format allows for trolling for billfish and gamefish during the tournament, book-ended by deep dropping for tilefish or swordfish while “fun fishing,” all punctuated by amazing social hours ashore. “We usually run about 20 miles or so, give or take. It’s a super short ride compared to our summer tournaments on the east coast,” Kelsea explains. Her father Earle summarizes, “Even though we are the Mid-Atlantic dealer, the good weather and good fishing draws our clientele to south Florida this time of year. It’s nice to have our customers be a part of this great event.”
This opportunity for growth is largely thanks to Captain Scott Adams and the crew on the Viking demo boat, always willing to mentor and teach the anglers aboard. Earle explains, “The Viking Yacht Company and its dealer network is a very unique organization in that not only do we entertain and engage our customers, but the entire Viking dealer network is a friendly, close knit group in which we interact closely together.”
The fishing may be fun, but it’s not of primary importance to the participants. The Challenge can serve as a warm-up to the more serious Mid-Atlantic events, but it’s clear everyone is there just to have a great time with family and friends… “While lots of people fish in Florida or Costa Rica during the winter, it’s cool to all get together before we start the summer circuit fishing our respective tournaments,” says Kelsea.
Quality Time
Back in the early 2000s many fun Bluewater Rendezvous were spent in the Bahamas and Florida. While other manufacturers’ demo boat programs have tailed back, Viking seems to be the only brand recapturing the “good ol’ days” formula—hopping between as many East Coast events as possible and welcoming everyone with arms wide open. Kelsea’s Key West experiences haven’t been limited to just a couple factory demos though. “In regard to our Bluewater family, I always enjoy spending time with them whether it be the nightly cocktail party and dinner upstairs at Dante’s or sitting on the back of Mr. Barker’s 92’ Alexis watching the manatees swim up behind the boat.”
Anyone is welcome but it could at times be mistaken for a VIP event. The Halls explain it is Key West after all, “dockage is at a premium and while Viking does a great job of creating as much space as possible, we encourage those wanting to participate to book your slip early!” We hope to see you in Key West in 2021!
