John West and Ultra Custom Boats...A touch of class

[clownpuncher]

I attended my first Ultra Regatta this past weekend. First off, it was fun. More than I anticipated. The entire weekend from Thursday through Sunday evening was a good time for me and the family, but, the highlight had to be during the Casino night plaque presentations. Plaques were given out for things such as "Farthest drive to attend the 2005 Ultra Custom Boats Regatta" ( Winner - 800 or so miles) and "The oldest Ultra boat in attendance" (Winner - I think it was a '96?) etc.
At the end of the regular presentations was a very special presentation. Surely most of you are aware of the terrible accident she and her family were involved in late February of '05. This plaque was presented to Madison Battles as the "Honorary Princess of the 2005 Ultra Custom Boats Regatta".
When the M/C called Madison Battles' name, I watched her face light up with a huge smile. She, as well as the rest of us, had no clue about the whole deal.
Here she is. The Honorary Princess of the 2005 Ultra Custom Boats Regatta - Madison Battles :D :D :D :D ( and a couple of cute little men flanking her)
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/5364961381-R1-013-5.jpg
As this photo was being shot there were MANY watery eyes in the crowd. It was basically a very pleasant surprise to many HB'ers to finally put a pretty face to the name that caused many of us heartache these past few months. I can't even tell you about the comments I heard and Mike and Sandy heard about how special people felt to finally meet this little angel.
John West and Ultra Custom Boats really came through on this one.
Class act brotha.
Roland

[Racer277]

Bravo, thanks for the pic!

[Mrs.Racer277]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. As I wipe my tears again. :D :D

[Lightning]

Way to go! Thanks for sharing.

[bunny 166]

That is great Roland....thanks for the pic! Even if it is the only pic I see from the Ultra Regatta, it is the best.....what an angel and an inspiration. Madi puts everything in perspective! :wink: :clover: :clover:

[Ivan Dan]

WOW....thats very cool! Big hand for John at Ultra

[dicudmore]

very cool :D

[Holland]

That is the best update EVER!!!!! Nice touch John West!!!!

[shueman]

FIRST CLASS....way to go Madison..!!!

[WaTchTheGelCoat]

Definatly was the highlight of my night to meet that little girl. She truly is a trooper.

[JetBoatRich]

Great to see her and see having fun. Great story :cool:

[TCS T]

Class Act!

[dr. margarita]

John West Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johnwithjm]

It was great to see the whole Battles family out there at the Ultra bash. She is a very special little girl.

[Ultrafied]

Great pic Roland. It was amazing to meet the little princess the afternoon before. She is definitely amazing!!
It was fun to see you and Jamie again!

[Garrddogg]

John West Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And he donated that boat on ebay a few months ago too i think for the cystic fibrosis foundation?.. dudes spreadin some good mojo!! :D Keep that shiat up John!! thats awsome that he can and he does!

[boxscore]

Sounds like an awesome evening. Thanks for the pic Roland. Madison is accumulating quite a collection... plaques, awards, newspaper clippings, and is probably thinking what all the fuss is about! Once again, boaters (i.e. John West) are coming to the rescue. Nice little community we got going around here. Mike said that Madison was doing her share of boat jumps this weekend. :D Nice, very nice.

[tamalewagon]

Thanks for sharing Clownpuncher. Shows just how much John West and his company are appreciated and what a great part of the boating community they are.

[Outnumbered]

Great to see her doing well. Glad you all had fun. Wish I could have swung it but just had too much going on to make it. Too many recent boat trips and too much to do to get away from work. Maybe next year.

[Jordy]

And he donated that boat on ebay a few months ago too i think for the cystic fibrosis foundation?.. dudes spreadin some good mojo!! :D Keep that shiat up John!! thats awsome that he can and he does!
And there was the one for the family with a terminal cancer member who got the super speed build with everyone hitting the overtime to get the boat done. :D
I have nothing but respect for the Ultra crew ( and just wonder how many other boats have been built with my name that I don't know about). :D
Nothing but the utmost respect for this crew. Our paths will cross one of these days JW and I'll buy ya a Coke or something. ;)

[BarryMac]

Another awesome story about John West and Ultra Custom Boats, obviously the star of the show was Madison, what a beautiful little girl...

[Big Proppa]

Wow very touching, I've only met John West a few times but he is definately good people.

[sigepmock]

I was one of those watery eyes in the crowd and she got a standing ovation. Definately puts the whole weekend in perspective. My wife and I are expecting our first child, a little girl and I can only imagine what a tough time these past few months have been for the family and how proud they must be of their little fighter. Thank you Battles family, John West and the rest of the Ultra crew for making my weekend so memorable.
Chris

[Artv]

Very nice, this just made my day...

[andy01]

I am not surprised one bit! John has always been good to the boating world. Way to go John, you do some cool shit man.
Andy

[redneckgirl]

Awesome!!!! Way to go John & Ultra Boats!!!! :D :D
RNG

[Froggystyle]

Very, very cool. Hats off to John and Leah.

[Krumbsnatcher]

just reinforces the point that most boater's are class act people and that their act extends off the water and on!
Bravo!

[Cole Trickle]

Very cool!
It's always good to hear a story with a happy ending.
Looks like the Regatta was a good time!!! :p

[Dave C]

wow, John is quite a class act! Very impressive!

[OutCole'd]

What a great story !!
Congrats to the little princess, an award she completly deserves.

[rvrtoy]

It was great to see Madi and the whole Battles family there. My wife and I spent a lot of time with them this weekend and let me just say that they are great people. They have a very good friend (also part of the Ultra family) who is also going through some very trying times with thier own child. They too are an inspiration!! Thanks to everyone who attended. You all made it a great time!!

[boxscore]

They have a very good friend (also part of the Ultra family) who is also going through some very trying times with thier own child. They too are an inspiration!! !
I heard about what they've been going through recently. I've known Mom for 10-12 years now. God bless 'em. I've known a few families that find themselves in the same situation and every single one of 'em has a knack for being rock solid.

[Havasu_Dreamin]

I don't own an Ultra, John West knows this, he still takes the time to talk to me each time we run into each other. He is way cool peeps, as is his wife.

[BigDoug]

I remember reading this story on HB about the little girl and the tragedy the familt went through, im so glad she was recognised with a plaque and yes John is one stand up guy for doing all this. Way to go ULTRA !!! :)

[MOBrien]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. As I wipe my tears again. :D :D
:D :D Ditto. It's so great to see her smiling face. Great stuff! :D :D
I think it's a given that Little Madison is not only the Ultra regatta Princess.....but an honorary Hot Boat Princess to boot. Looks like a wonderful kid!

[ULTRA28]

Thanks guys. It was an honor to have Madison and her family at our regatta. When I heard she was attending, I thought it only appropriate that she be our regatta princess. So Leah had a special plaque made just for Madison. I don't know if there was a dry eye in the room as she walked up to get it. She is one strong girl.

[dicudmore]

Thanks guys. It was an honor to have Madison and her family at our regatta. When I heard she was attending, I thought it only appropriate that she be our regatta princess. So Leah had a special plaque made just for Madison. I don't know if there was a dry eye in the room as she walked up to get it. She is one strong girl.
no doubt about that

[Mrs. HOOTER SLED]

I did'nt get to see this thread!!!!!!!!!!! Madison is beautiful !!!!!!!!!! Well deserved plaque!!!!!! I'm sooooooooo glad to see her having a great time!!!! I can imagine all the tears..........I started to cry just reading this!!!!!!!!
WAY TO GO MADISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

Thanks for bringing it back up Michelle, because I missed it also. And thanks to Roland for posting the pic. John, you are a good guy, I know you don't do it for thanks or to better your business, only because it's the right thing to do. That is what makes it so special.