VENTURA : Powerboat Race Raises Money for D.A.R.E.

Thousands of people lined Marina Cove Beach and other viewing spots on Sunday to watch power boats slice through currents that made for ideal race conditions in the 6th annual Ventura Channel Dash.

About two dozen craft competed in the Pacific Offshore Power Boat Racing Assn.-sponsored event, which raised money for the Ventura Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

“It’s a hurry-up, go-as-fast-as-you-can race where the winner gets a trophy and bragging rights,” said Linda Palmer-Taylor. There were no monetary awards for the winners, she said.

The 20-mile course ran from Ventura Harbor, to the oil rig Gina, then to the pier and back along the coastline to the harbor.

Palmer-Taylor said she did not know Sunday afternoon how much money was raised for the police program.

“We’re still counting it up,” she said.

Karl Koster of Los Altos Hills captured first place in the long course event, which required contestants to complete the 20-mile course four times. Koster, who owns the 42-foot Thoroughbred power boat Kal Kustom, said he has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to put together a winning team, which includes two full-time mechanics.

“The boat has won first overall in every race this year,” he said. “It’s a new boat, everything is fresh. It’s got the newest technology plus a few secrets.”

Koster, who manned the speedboat over the 80-mile course, said the craft gets a complete engine overhaul after every contest.

Although the Kal Kustom tops out at 114 m.p.h., the speedboat averaged between 95 and 100 m.p.h. during Sunday’s race, Koster said.

Nick Bosdock spent the day patrolling the race course in an association power boat.

“Everything went along real good,” said Bosdock, who manned the patrol boat with two medics.

“Nobody got hurt, but a few boats didn’t finish,” he said. “Other than that, there were no incidents, which is good for the 100-mile-an-hour speed.”