It began as a bar room bet over a couple of beers in Worrell Bros., the Virginia Beach resort restaurant that was owned by Michael and his brother Chris. The bet; that one could not sail a 16-foot catamaran from Virginia Beach to Florida.

On October 1, 1974, Michael and crew Steve McGarrett shoved off from the beach in front of the restaurant bound for Florida. After 20 days, two hurricanes, and numerous boat repairs, they made it as far as Fort Lauderdale before their catamaran succumbed to the rigors of the bet.

Intrigued by the challenge of the rugged trip, Worrell, who as a surfer, lifeguard, and later in business, had always been around the ocean, decided to raise the ante and create a radical, new type of sailboat race.

In May 1976, four other teams were also inspired by the challenge and entered the inaugural *Worrell Bros. Coastwise Race. For that first race, limited to 16-foot Hobie Cats, the rules were almost fewer than the sailors. Sail day and night, come ashore and phone the restaurant once every 24 hours. The first boat to the finish wins. To take advantage of the prevailing winds the course was reversed with the start in Fort Lauderdale and the finish in Virginia Beach.

At 3:10am of the 11th day, Worrell and crew Guerry Beatson, the only team to finish, came ashore on the beach across from the brothers' restaurant, where with a little imagination one could almost hear the original bet being placed.

* In 1979 Michael sold his half of Worrell Bros. restaurant to his brother Chris. He kept the race, but shortened the name to Worrell 1000.