Commentary—Thanks To The Broadcast Boys

Courtesy of offshore racing super-fans Rick and Katheryn Theisen, I had a front-row, third-story seat at the Pier House Resort and Spa for the Friday and Sunday races during the Race World Offshore Key West World Championships two weeks ago. When I needed a closer look or a break from the sun, I moved inside and caught the action streaming on the living-room television.

Eric Colby (left) and Todd Swofford (second from right) have gelled into a fine broadcast team.

Better still, thanks to speakers on the suite’s balcony I could keep up with the action via Race World Offshore livestream broadcasters Todd Swofford and Eric Colby from either vantage point.

Swofford is a long-time radio-man and Key West local who has been covering offshore racing live for much of his career. He’s a pro. Colby is the world’s preeminent offshore racing reporter. Together, they form a knowledgeable broadcast team that just keeps getting better.

Having done a bit of broadcasting for Powerboat P1 for the past two seasons and understanding I still have a lot to learn, I appreciate their work. Colby and Swofford know their subject and they are passionate about it.

But what I appreciate most about them is their relaxed delivery. Neither is cut from the “Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!” motorsports school of hyperbolic broadcasting. They’re not selling.

They’re informing.

The XINSURANCE video team upped its game this season. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Some fans want more theatrics from their announcers and that’s fine. I’m just not one of them, especially given the vastly improved helicopter video angles courtesy of Rick and Parker Lindsey of XINSURANCE. It’s high-octane stuff, and when you have footage of that caliber you don’t need announcers to create excitement. You just need them to narrate the story.  

So thank you all, gentlemen. I’m a fan of your work. You make it look easy.

And better than most, I know it’s not.

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