Reporter: Elena Key
•9/11/2026
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK)—Day one is done for the weekend-long event of Roar Offshore.
It's the event's first time back in Fort Myers Beach in nearly five years after Hurricane Ian devastated the island in 2022. Friday kicked off with the qualifiers as teams left it all at sea in efforts to get the lead spot for the championship race on Sunday.
"It's awesome. We missed them. We used to see them by us at the Ken Ki River, and then they stopped it. So we came here to watch it," Eddie Widlowski said.
The teams will be following a four-mile closed circuit, starting at Margaritaville Beach Resort. With 17 teams competing across seven turns, the need for speed is evident.
"They're very quick and agile, and they turn on a dime, and they sound pretty darn cool when they're out there racing," Devin Wozencraft said.
With more races and events during the weekend, many are keeping a close eye on tight parking and the weather. For some, the rain won't be an issue.
"We're at the beach. We don't care if it rains," Ginnie McCoy said.
This year's event is said to be a new beginning for racing on the island and for those in the community. Isabella Torrente, daughter of racer Shaun Torrente, shared her excitement for the event.
"Go Roar Offshore!" Torrente said.
The top three teams will take home bragging rights and prize money. Roar Offshore is free to attend and continues Saturday at 11 a.m.
