Every summer, the boating community around Norfolk, VA unites for something that’s about more than just horsepower and high-performance vessels—it’s about honoring the legacy of American heroes. The Tip of the Spear Poker Run, hosted by the Atlantic Coast Powerboat Association (ACPA), is a thrilling multi-day event where boaters cruise not only for fun, but for a cause that cuts right to the heart of what community and camaraderie really mean.
This year’s event will be held June 27–28, 2025, launching from Waterside Marina in Norfolk, and it promises to be one of the most exciting—and meaningful—boating events of the season.
What Is the Tip of the Spear Poker Run?
At first glance, a poker run might seem like a simple game on water: boaters navigate a course, stop at various checkpoints to collect cards, and gather at the end to see who has the winning hand. But this is no ordinary poker run.
Tip of the Spear brings together performance boaters, veterans, supporters, and local businesses to raise awareness and funding for the SEAL Legacy Foundation—an organization founded and operated by Navy SEALs to provide unwavering support to their own.
These aren’t just poker hands and party nights. They’re part of a greater mission to ensure that no SEAL or SEAL family is ever left behind.
About the SEAL Legacy Foundation
Founded in 2011, the SEAL Legacy Foundation has a focused and powerful mission: to honor the brotherhood, preserve the legacy, and ensure no one is left behind. From educational scholarships for children of SEALs to direct financial support for Gold Star families and veterans facing hardship, the foundation provides critical aid in times of transition and tragedy.
As the saying goes in the SEAL community: No SEAL has ever been captured, and no SEAL has ever been left behind. That level of commitment doesn’t stop on the battlefield—and it doesn’t fade in civilian life. It’s what inspires events like Tip of the Spear to carry on their work.
A Weekend on the Water with Purpose
Friday and Saturday, June 27–28, are packed with energy, excitement, and opportunities to connect with others who share a passion for boating and service. With Waterside Marina and downtown Norfolk serving as the event’s anchor points, the atmosphere will blend high-end performance boating with community pride and heartfelt support.
Here’s what the schedule looks like for 2025:
Thursday, June 26
- 5 – 7 PM: Optional early check-in at Waterside Marina docks
For out-of-town participants or anyone wanting to beat the Friday rush, this is a great time to get registered and settled in ahead of the action.
Friday, June 27
- 11:30 AM: Optional Fun Run departs from Waterside Marina
- 12 PM: Fun Run lunch stop at Decoy’s (Bennett’s Creek Marina)
This optional day run sets the tone with a relaxed cruise, friendly meetups, and lunch at one of the area's favorite waterfront restaurants. - 3 – 6 PM: Check-in and Registration at Blue Moon Taphouse
- 6 – 8 PM: Captain’s Meeting at Blue Moon Taphouse
- 8 PM: Docktail Party at Blue Moon and Waterside Docks
Friday evening wraps with a party on land and water, giving everyone a chance to meet, mingle, and prepare for Saturday’s big event.
Saturday, June 28 – Poker Run Day
- 8 – 9 AM: Late check-in for any last-minute arrivals
- 10 AM: Official Poker Run Start
- 12 PM: Midday lunch stop at Smithfield Station
The route is scenic, fast-paced, and designed to give participants a unique view of the region’s waterways—punctuated by good food, great people, and a cause that runs deeper than the tide. - 4 PM: Poker Run concludes
- 7 – 11 PM: Evening banquet and card draw at Harbor Club
The event culminates in a banquet that’s part celebration, part ceremony, and fully in honor of those who serve. Expect moving tributes, incredible stories, and plenty of camaraderie.
Why It Matters to the Boating Community
Events like this highlight what makes the boating world so special. Yes, it's about the thrill—the speed, the sound, the freedom of the open water. But it’s also about the people: the way boaters rally around a cause, show up for each other, and use their passion to give back.
Whether you're a lifelong powerboater, a recreational cruiser, or a newcomer drawn to the lifestyle, there’s something truly meaningful about seeing a marina full of vessels flying flags, honoring fallen heroes, and raising money to protect a legacy forged in courage.
SeaEO’s Salute to the Mission
At SeaEO, we don’t just offer luxury charters—we believe in the power of the water to bring people together for moments that matter. While we aren’t an official participant in the Tip of the Spear Poker Run, we stand fully behind its mission and encourage our guests, followers, and fellow boaters to learn more, support the cause, and get involved if they can.
For many of our guests—especially those with military ties—this event resonates on a deeply personal level. If you're in town for the Poker Run and looking for a day-before or day-after way to decompress on the water, SeaEO offers relaxing, custom charter experiences out of Norfolk, Hampton, Yorktown, and other nearby locations.
Private, quiet, and designed around your pace, our charters are the perfect complement to the energy and emotion of a weekend like this.
Plan Your Day. Support the Cause. Celebrate the Brotherhood.
Even if you’re not lining up for the Poker Run, you can be part of the experience. Cruise the route, catch the action from the water, or toast the effort from a distance with your own circle of friends and family aboard a SeaEO charter.
Every minute on the water is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and connect—and there’s no better time to do that than during an event that gives back to those who’ve given everything.
To learn more about the Tip of the Spear Poker Run, visit www.tipofthespearrun.com
To explore charter options for your own waterfront experience, visit sea-eo.com
Let’s honor the legacy. Let’s cruise with purpose. Let’s show what the boating community is truly about.
