The International Howe Sound Outrigger Race – or Howe Sound Iron – was back on the Coast for its 14th year on Aug. 13. With 350 paddlers, this was one of the biggest ever, according to race director Donna Harrison.
“Our first place winners – the overall fastest men’s and women’s teams – always receive a large prize donated by Klaus Fuerniss of Tim Hortons,” Harrison said. “This year the overall women – the False Creek Premiere Women – they won first place, and Fuerniss presented them with $600. The overall men’s first place was won by the Geronimo Canoe Club from Brentwood Bay in Washington State; they also won $600.”
The Gibsons Paddle Club (GPC) had a team competing in the 14 km short course event – long course is 23 km. Fred Stark, John Bayzand, Earl Shaw, Ed Schurman, Jim Gibson and Herman Bless – all over 70 and 80 years old – made up the GPC Old Farts team.
The Howe Sound Iron is hosted on the Coast once every two years. It began as an annual event in 2000 but became biannual about six years ago, according to Harrison.
“It’s the Canadian National Championship for the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association,” Harrison said. “So, whoever wants to run the Canadian Nationals – they bid on it. But the [paddlers] love coming to Howe Sound. We have a good race course.”
Harrison thanked the Town of Gibsons for its ongoing support of the outrigger races.
“The Town of Gibsons, the Gibsons Marina, Grandma’s Pub – they put so much into making this race a success,” Harrison said. “The marina gives us a big chunk of their parking and closes down the launch just so our canoes can go in and out throughout the day. The Town allows free tenting for the Friday and Saturday nights for any racers who want to camp there. The Gibsons Lions Club – it’s paid for but they provide dinner for 350 people. Grandma’s Pub, they get donations for all the racers to come in and watch the video of the races.”
