They say that into every life a little rain must fall, but for April Tools 2017, it was ridiculous! Didn’t keep the tough Pender Harbour crowd home, though! Everyone seemed to enjoy this year’s twist – to build a picnic table from a set of provided plans, then float it any way they could using the remaining materials.
So from 1x2s, some plastic sheeting, some doorskin and some screws came every kind of hull imaginable, from canoes to scows to pontoons to shapes that have no name. Some tables were upright and others upside down, but all bore a tablecloth and place setting (plate, cup and cutlery) for four and all but one boat managed to keep them on board throughout the race. That unfortunate crew had a pontoon dislodging collision with a rock in the shallows after Chain Alley, but they turned their misfortune into a Broken Paddle Trophy winning effort by swimming to the finish.
The Spiffy Skiffy Trophy was won by RCMSAR 61 for their fine looking boat. The big money prizes went to some familiar names. The Fireflies took first, the Gunboat Bay Challengers a close second, and Ace-It Carpentry a solid third.
The aptly named King-slayers (Alex Phillips and Julian Chaisson) will have their names on the Youth Trophy this year and Lit Boiz (Joe Wilson and Dani Garcia) crossed the finish first in the Fun Race. Of course, that is not always the point of that race, as pretty much everyone was in the water by the end.
The little kids were heard hammering boats through all the building and racing, but being under big tents didn’t hurt. No one’s appetite was dimmed by the weather and many burgers and hot dogs were chased down with fresh cookies.
Until next year … rain or shine!
See more photos from the event in our online galleries at www.coastreporter.net
– Submitted
