Questionable construction and a lot of fun is on the menu Sunday, July 17 for the return of the annual Silly Boat races, however a number of teams have recently pulled out. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

PADDLE POWER

Calling all paddlers: Nanaimo’s Silly Boat Races needs more teams

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:44 PM

NANAIMO — If you thought you’d missed your chance to don a life jacket, hop into a questionably-constructed boat and hit the water this weekend…think again.

The annual Silly Boat Races, hosted by the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, returns to the waters off Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday, July 17, but the event is lacking some of its usual volume with a handful of last-minute drop-outs.

Keeley Campbell, development coordinator for the NCDC, told NanaimoNewsNOW a few teams have said they can’t compete this weekend, leaving the lineup looking a little bare.

“It seems to be a lot of people just not able to get the numbers together. It’s been a hard last couple of years, so we’re very understanding to the numbers just not being there which is why we’re really hoping to collaborate some of the teams together.”

So Campbell is sounding the call for groups of people keen for a good time, raising money for a critical local organization and their programming.

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Participants must be able to commit to a few hours building their boats at Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday morning, before testing their seaworthiness on the waters.

“We only require two people rowing and no shortage of numbers bailing if you’d like, but if you’ve got two people who want to paddle their way to victory we’d love to have you.”

The races start at the bottom of Swy-A-Lana Lagoon with boats competing to round a buoy placed around halfway down the adjacent fishing pier, then return to shore and ring a bell.

Campbell said they’ll take anyone who wants to participate and they’ll build teams from the people declaring interest.

Anyone wanting to take part can contact Campbell at keeley@nanaimocdc.com, or fellow coordinator Morag Champagne-Holland at morag@nanaimocdc.com.

They can also contact the Nanaimo Child Development Centre at 250 753 0251.

The Nanaimo Child Development Centre is looking for teams ahead of Sunday’s Silly Boat Races, with a number dropping out at the last minute. (Nanaimo CDC)

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