Community leaders, economic development officials, and seaplane aviation advocates will gather on Friday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m. at the Skylark Shores Event Center, 1120 N. Main Street, Lakeport, for a press conference examining the economic and community development opportunities created by seaplane tourism and water-based aviation infrastructure.
The press conference takes place on the second day of the 2026 Clear Lake Splash In, the West Coast’s premier seaplane gathering, presented by Clear Lake Flying Club, Inc., and hosted at Skylark Shores Resort on the shores of Clear Lake. The five-day event, running June 4–8, draws seaplane pilots and aviation enthusiasts from across North America.
Participants include:
- Steve McCaughey, Executive Director, Seaplane Pilots Association
- Bob Tweedie, Economic Development Director, City of Tavares, Florida — “America’s
Seaplane City” - Brandon Disney, Mayor, City of Lakeport
- Kevin Ingram, City Manager, City of Lakeport
The press conference follows a morning seminar, “The Tavares Blueprint: Building America’s Seaplane City,” presented by Tweedie, which examines how Tavares, Florida, transformed itself into a nationally recognized seaplane destination — a model with direct implications for Lakeport and Lake County.
“Clear Lake has one of the finest natural settings for seaplane operations on the West Coast,” said Herb Lingl, Coordinator of the 2026 Clear Lake Splash In and Education Director of the Clear Lake Flying Club, Inc. “This press conference brings together the civic and aviation leadership needed to move seaplane infrastructure from vision to reality.”
The Seaplane Pilots Association, the national advocacy organization for water flying, will be represented at the event by its Executive Director throughout the week. The Association’s engagement reflects the national significance of Clear Lake as a seaplane destination and Lakeport’s potential as a hub for water aviation on the West Coast.
This year’s program also features a panel discussion on Aquatic Invasive Species and seaplane operations, a youth aviation day open to the public on Saturday, June 6, and an art exhibit reception featuring aerial photography from the book The Horizon’s Calls: A Journey Across America by Seaplane by Herb Lingl (horizonscalls.com). Seaplanes will be on public display at Skylark Shores Resort at no charge during the event.
About the Clear Lake Splash In
The Clear Lake Splash In is presented by Clear Lake Flying Club, Inc., a California nonprofit organization, in partnership with Skylark Shores Resort. The event operates under a three-year agreement with the City of Lakeport. Full program information and registration are available at clearlakesplashin.com.
About the Seaplane Pilots Association
The Seaplane Pilots Association is the national membership organization for water-flying enthusiasts, serving as the primary advocate for seaplane access and infrastructure in the United States and internationally. Learn more at seaplanes.org.
