Hydroplane event proposed

The last vintage hydroplane race on Lake Coeur d'Alene was almost eight years ago, but a new event hopes to highlight those thunderboats before September's end.

It won't be a race like the Diamond Cup Regatta that ran from 1958 to 1968 and again in 2013, which ended because of financial struggles. Instead, it will be a free-to-the-public exhibition near Higgens Point, said Keith Kroetch, president of the Coeur d'Alene Hydromaniacs.

"They won't let us race because they aren't safe to race really, but there will be more of an exhibition," Kroetch said Tuesday. "They'll go fast, but they won't be bumping into each other. They won't put each other in jeopardy."

Hydroplane boats work similarly to hovercraft by relying on hydrofoils that lift the boat's front off the water. These plane-like speed boats fly across the water at rates that far exceed the typical vessel on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Though racing won't be an option at the event, rides in the vehicles across a mile to mile-and-a-half route could be.

Kootenai County Community Development Director David Callahan noted that the 2013 Diamond Cup Regatta was why the county changed its regulations to make a special event permit category, which is triggered any time there are 500 or more participants on a property. This could dramatically lengthen the approval process to six months — meaning even if staff started today, it could be too late for this year.

"The Special Event review is, in fact, a Conditional Use Permit which requires a public hearing with the hearing examiner and is decided by the (Board of County Commissioners)," Callahan wrote in an email. "CUPs typically take between four and six months to process once we receive a complete application. As you know, we are very busy these days, so I would expect this to take closer to six months than four."

KCSO Capt. Stuart Miller said Sheriff Bob Norris expects several requirements to be achieved before the event can occur — No. 1, that the event gains public support. Miller noted that as of now, the exhibition would fall on Labor Day weekend, typically a hectic day for boaters on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

"Labor Day weekend is generally the final push of summertime. We would have our staff on the special event but also have a lot of extra staff not only on land but in the water as well," Miller said.

On any given summer day, Miller said, Higgens Point is one of Lake Coeur d'Alene's primary launches. By reserving that area, it could restrict many recreational users.

"It's going to be quite an impact to the boating public," Miller said. "Really, we have about 20,000 registered vessels in Kootenai County, and then out-of-state vessels add another 5,000 on the weekend. So, a huge impact."

Kroetch said that if the event couldn't secure permits and funding in time for this year, the Hydromaniacs would look at bringing it back next year.

"It's not 100%, and I think that would probably be a big part of the decision for us. We will not have the event unless we get sponsors ahead of time," Kroetch said. "Until we get the funds in our grimy little paws, we will not move forward. Last time I lost a lot of money when we did one of these … That was our fault."

Hydroplane racing on Lake Coeur d'Alene dates back to 1913, event supporter Steven Shepperd said.

"It's been a part of our history. A lot of famous people in our town were involved in this," Shepperd said. "What we would like to do is be able to bring some of that history back."