Silly Boat Regatta 2009

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The crowds started to gather early for the 2009 Silly Boat Regatta by Swy-a-lana Lagoon in Maffeo Sutton Park. Proceeds from this fun-filled family event goes to support the good work of the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.

At fifteen minutes before the race started it was pretty well wall to wall people, and by the time the race started there was barely a square inch of space on which to sit or stand.

The S.S. Minnow was on hand for the big event, taking the winners of the Gilligan's Island look-a-like contest for a three hour tour.

A familiar face adorns this ill-fated craft which looks like it should do quite well actually.

However, the Golden Arches entry had the dubious honor of being the first craft to head for Davey Jones Locker.

Humor and team spirit was the earmark of this seagoing entry. Apparently some hapless worker got a little too close to the business end of the shark!

And they're OFF!! The first heat of the Regatta was underway just shortly after 1:00 to the delight of the thousands assembled under another fantastic Nanaimo summer sky.

Congestion and chaos reign as crews attempt to maneuver their crafts around the buoy before entering the home stretch and the final race to the beach and the victory bell.


And they are neck and neck, and this intrepid reporter is not sure the name of the winner of this heat as they had no signage visible from my vantage point. It was a closely contended heat and nearly a photo finish.

The Longlake Chiropractic entry was perhaps one of the better designed craft hitting the brine, it also was one of the most peculiar in appearance as well. If you didn't guess, that is supposed to be a spine.

The length of this entry made turning at the buoy a serious challenge indeed, but obviously this crew has spent weeks and perhaps months in training, as they worked together like a well oiled machine and pulled off this tight turn.

First around the buoy and first entering the homestretch, clearly these guys know how to 'put your back into it".

They were winners of their heat although the lead crew member, hit the drink a little early and had to swim for it to avoid being run over by his own vessel.

In the true spirit of the event, this team just kept plugging right to the end, even if it looked like they were barely above water. The 'two-legged' outboard was either a part of the plan, or born of necessity.

All in all this has to be one of the premiere family events and (don't tell anyone over at Bathtub headquarters) it probably rivals the big race for all around crowd appeal.

There were lots of events and activities in the Park to keep Mom and Dad and kids happy, as well as lots of mouth watering food and beverage to keep body and soul together.

At the time of this posting I am not aware of how much money was raised for the CDC but hopefully it exceeded their goal of $80,000.

For information about the 2010 Silly Boat Regatta Click HERE.