Paddle power is the name of the game for the return of the Silly Boat Races to Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday, July 15. (Nanaimo Child Development Centre)

By Alex Rawnsley

RACE DAY

‘We’re hungry and we want to win:’ fierce competition expected as Silly Boats return to Nanaimo’s waterfront

Jul 17, 2022 | 5:20 AM

NANAIMO — The teams are ready with race faces on…all they’re waiting for is the ‘ready-set-go!’

Following two years out of the water, one of Nanaimo’s favourite and most unique summer events returns Sunday, July 17 at Maffeo Sutton Park.

The Silly Boat Races serve as a major fundraiser for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre and major fun for onlookers and participants. Dominic Rockall, NCDC executive director, told NanaimoNewsNOW the event is key in providing their programs and supports in the community.

“Our services are free and the core services are fully funded [by government], but we do augment some of our programs with fundraised dollars,” Rockall said. “Our family navigator program, it’s like a family resource support worker, and a summer camp for kids with support needs is augmented with these funds.”

Money collected from their efforts also goes toward equipment costs for various therapy programs.

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A new organizing team is behind this year’s event, bringing new ideas and some added elements. However, the NCDC ran into a bit of a roadblock a few days out from the event with a number of teams pulling out at the last minute due to a lack of numbers.

Boats must navigate a short course which leaves the shoreline, then extends around a buoy in the water before returning back to ring a bell. (Nanaimo Child Development Centre)

Still, the races will be immensely competitive.

“In past years, the repeat winner we’ve had is Superette Foods,” Rockall said. “Whatever they do to design their boat, they do it really well and they’re a tight rowing team, they’ve been repeat winners. Last time, they were knocked off the pedestal by Island Red Cedar Construction, so this year both of those teams are back.”

Rockall added a dark horse entering this year may upset the two favourites, however he did not confirm who the team was.

He also said the all-heart Island Radio outfit could make waves in more ways than one.

“I’ve got high hopes for them, that’s one of the teams we’re looking at closely for sure, people are talking about them.”

Shari Sorensen is part of the Superette Foods team which has a strong desire to reassert their recent dominance.

“It is so strong, we are starving to regain the championship. We’re hungry and we want to win.”

When NanaimoNewsNOW, which is affiliated with the Island Radio team, asked for any secrets on what makes the Superette Foods boat so successful, a candid Sorensen only replied with “I will divulge nothing.”

The building of boats begins at Maffeo Sutton Park at 8 a.m., with entertainment running through the morning ahead of races getting underway at 1 p.m.

(Nanaimo Child Development Centre)

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