Carlos Wood has been hosting the jet boat community at Highpoint Marina’s Lighthouse Inn since its inception 25 years ago. Thanks to his warm hospitality, the annual gathering convenes at the High Point pavilion and picnic area for a country boil each year on a Friday night in June. After a full day of boating excitement, attendees say a prayer, break bread together, and give a round of applause to the hardworking individuals who make this event possible year after year. Among these dedicated contributors is Jack Weller, who generously donates the use of his waterfront property annually. Additionally, Chet Wojcik and his wife Michele spend months planning and organizing the event to ensure its success.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Jet Boat Invasion, and Wood has been honored with the third annual award from the East Coast Jet Boat group, recognizing his unwavering dedication and service to this vibrant community.

“I still don’t know how to work on them,” Wood chuckles, noting the irony since he works on boats at his marina every day. “I look forward to it. They are great people, and I enjoy them being here.”
It’s not just the thrill of the speed boats that draws people from all over the East Coast to the Jet Boat Invasion each year.

“It’s the people,” says Michael Tomlin, a devoted East Coast Jet Boat member since the beginning. “I look forward to it every year.” Tomlin, who travels from Bethesda, Maryland, was the 2023 award recipient, having overcome a battle with throat cancer. His love for the jet boating community embodies the resilience and camaraderie that define the Jet Boat Invasion.

The event also fosters new friendships across generations. Andrew Zello and his six-year-old daughter Callie have been faithfully attending the invasion at Lake Anna since 2020. Callie and her young friends have even started a lemonade stand, offering cups of refreshing perfection to the attendees.

The Jet Boat Invasion is more than just a gathering of boating enthusiasts; it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the bonds formed through shared experiences on the water. As the event grows each year, so does the sense of family among its participants, ensuring that this tradition will continue for many more years to come.

The next unofficial jet boat event will be in September, and the official annual gathering is to be planned for June of 2025.

Jen Bailey

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