Pender Harbour will once again celebrate the coming of spring with the April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge, now in its 11th year. On April 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., teams of boat builders will gather at Madeira Park's government wharf and Millennium Park to see what materials the diabolical organizers of this event have given them to work with and what the "special twist" will be this year. Then, with only hand tools and battery-powered screw guns, they will try to make something that will hold together long enough for them to race around a pre-set course in the harbour.
Teams of up to four builders will have one hour to figure out how to make their boat and three hours to convert those plans into reality. Why do they do it? There are cash prizes, of course, and the Spiffy Skiffy award as well as the Broken Paddle trophy, but the bigger thrill is to beat the guys who won last year.
Presented by the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society with the support of local businesses and community organizations, April Tools has something for all ages.
Teens have the chance to build boats in the weeks prior to the event with the help of society members, and their races have their own unique flavour. The trophy race has the straight-up serious quality of competition, and the fun race often has more to do with swimming than actual paddling.
Meanwhile there will be burgers and baked goods to keep everyone energized and lots of fun activities for the little kids. After all, what would April Tools be without free mini boat building. Handmade boats will be available to row or paddle around the harbour for free.
Be part of the action. Sign up your team of up to four builders or come cheer them on. Entry fee is $160/team (early bird price of $140 if registered by April 1).
Call Richard or Jackie at 604-883-0539 for information or an entry form, or go to the photo gallery at www.apriltools.ca to see what April Tools really looks like.
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