Poker Run Dominica 2026 Delivers Record Participation, Community Impact and an Unforgettable Marine Experience

Dominica's west coast came alive on Sunday, July 26, as Poker Run Dominica 2026 welcomed a record 15 teams for what proved to be the largest and most successful staging of the event to date.

The day's activities commenced at 6:30 a.m. at Le Village Beach Club in Canefield, where teams gathered before embarking on a scenic marine adventure that showcased Dominica's spectacular coastline while fostering community engagement, tourism, and camaraderie.

This year's event attracted participants from across the region and the diaspora, with team members travelling from Miami, New York, St. Kitts and as far as Alaska to experience one of Dominica's premier marine tourism events. Their participation underscored the growing appeal of Poker Run as an event capable of attracting both local and international boating enthusiasts while positioning Dominica as a destination for marine recreation.

Unlike a traditional boat race, Poker Run is a recreational boating event where teams travel to designated checkpoints, collecting playing cards throughout the journey. At the conclusion of the run, the team with the highest-scoring poker hand is declared the winner, making strategy, teamwork and a little luck the deciding factors rather than speed.

Emerging victorious this year was Solstic Marine, whose winning hand earned 53 points, securing the coveted EC$10,000 Grand Prize.

The remaining top finishers were:

• Second Place: Dude “Dowad” – EC$3,000

• Third Place: Pier Pressure – EC$1,500

In addition to the main prizes, several teams were recognized for their creativity, enthusiasm and team spirit throughout the day.

Special Awards

• Most Patriotic Boat: Dude

• Best Team Mascot: Discovery Hawks

• Best Team Chant: Dude

• Most Energetic Crew: Team Hustle

• Best Team Entrance: Pier Pressure

• Most Colourful Team: Clean Hustle

• Longest Travelled Team: Pier Pressure (Miami & New York)

• Best Flag Display: Team Dude

Accepting the grand prize on behalf of Solstic Marine, Team Captain Clement Royer reflected on the experience, stating:

"Winning this year's Poker Run means a lot to me, but it isn't just my win. It's a win for everyone who believed in us from day one. At Soltic Marine, we are committed to showcasing the very best of Dominica for safe, professional, and unforgettable experiences on the water. Every win or step forward motivates us to continue raising the standard for marine tourism on our island. "

The celebrations culminated at Poker City in Toucari, where participants and spectators enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment featuring TK International, DJ Taffei and Friends, including Trixx, Candy and Freddy, bringing the event to an energetic close.

Organizer Josephine Austrie described the event as a milestone for the continued growth of Poker Run Dominica.

"We are extremely pleased with the success of this year's event. Seeing participation double from last year is a testament to the growing interest in Poker Run and the dedication of everyone who continues to support it. It was especially rewarding to see new teams, returning participants, corporate organizations and international visitors all coming together to celebrate Dominica from the sea."

This year's event also saw increased corporate participation, with teams representing organizations such as NBD Bank On It and Republic Bank OnBoard, while Team Clean Hustle proudly competed with the support of Morancie and Sons Ltd.

Beyond the competition, Poker Run continues to demonstrate the value of marine tourism as an important contributor to Dominica's economy. By encouraging participants to explore the island's coastline, the event generates economic activity for coastal communities, supports local businesses, provides opportunities for entertainers and vendors, and showcases the island's marine product to visitors from overseas.

As Dominica continues to diversify its tourism offerings, events such as Poker Run play an important role in strengthening the country's blue economy while encouraging greater appreciation for its marine environment. The continued growth of the event highlights the potential for marine-based experiences to complement Dominica's internationally recognized nature tourism product and create lasting benefits for communities across the island.

The Poker Run Dominica Organizing Committee extends sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, participating venues, entertainment providers and every team whose enthusiasm and support contributed to another successful staging of the event.

With another successful edition now complete, organizers look forward to building on this momentum as Poker Run continues to establish itself as one of Dominica's signature marine tourism experiences.

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