11th annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach Superboat races held Sunday

COCOA BEACH, Fla. - People packed Cocoa Beach Sunday morning for the last day of the Thunder on Cocoa Beach. 

"I've never seen anything like it in my life," said spectator Debbie Decola. "And this is going to be a first time for me!"

The event featured two days of races on Saturday and Sunday. It was free to attend and open to everyone. Last year's event was canceled due to COVID-19 shutdowns. This year, the festival brought big crowds and hopefully some big money.

"Events bring people together and I think they raise morale for everyone. You add in the economic impact, all the benefits from it, and there's no negatives," said visitor Brian Sawyer.

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"We've lived here almost 21 years," said Maria Margadonna, who attended a concert held on Saturday. "We know a lot of the people running the show. We volunteered, we're just happy to be here and happy we're able to be here this year."

Fans say this is just another step toward normal while still keeping safer.

"Oh man it's wild," Sawyer said. "It's the best social distancing you can do! In a jet ski, six feet away from someone else at 80 miles per hour!"

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The Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix is one of the largest in Central Florida and draws the top race teams in the world to compete in various classes, with the premier class reaching speeds over 175 mph. It is the first of the sport's 2021 six-race championship series.

More than 50 teams specifically competed on Sunday. It ran from Pier South to the Coconuts on the Beach restaurant.  People who turn out will see catamarans with more than 2,200 horsepower reaching speeds up to 170 mph out on the waves.

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