Jaime Garcia's #006 bathtub was first back into Nanaimo harbour, comfortably winning the 53rd annual World Championship Bathtub Race. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

WORLD CHAMP

VIDEO: 20 years in the making, Nanaimo’s Jaime Garcia wins Bathtub Championship

Jul 24, 2022 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — It took immense dedication to training and competition for two decades, but Jaime Garcia is finally a world champion.

The 48-year-old Nanaimo man made the long climb from shore to stage to ring the bell first at the 53rd annual World Championship Bathtub Race at Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday, July 24.

“The first thing I’ve got to tell you, thank God to give me the strength to endure this, it’s great,” Garcia told NanaimoNewsNOW after the race, as he was being checked over by medical crews.

Garcia crossed the finish line just over two hours and six minutes from the opening cannon, well behind record pace thanks in large part to gusty winds and choppy seas.

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Twenty-five boats left Nanaimo harbour at the 11 a.m. start, however many turned back or broke down during the over 60-kilometre course around Entrance Island, north to the Winchelsea Islands before returning to the harbour.

According to unofficial results on Sunday afternoon, Garcia essentially led from start to finish.

He hit checkpoint one at Entrance Island 12 minutes into the race, then reached the Winchelsea Islands at around 12:28 p.m., over 30 minutes ahead of the next closest tub.

Garcia hit checkpoint three at Neck Point at 12:46 p.m. before entering the harbour at 1:02 p.m and finishing three minutes later.

“There’s no changing of plans, it was rough. Everything, it was rough,” Garcia said after piloting the #006 bathtub through rough seas. “You can’t prepare. You’ve just got to be physically fit and physically able to take the beating.”

Garcia was battered and bruised, as well as a little cut up on his legs, but otherwise unharmed from the over two hour ordeal at sea. He collapsed out of his boat as it hit the shore, however the rules of the race prevent anyone from helping competitors to the bell.

Garcia made a splash on the waterfront after falling out of his bathtub, exhausted from two hours spent racing in very rough seas. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He was mobbed by supporters, friends and family eager to celebrate the long-sought, hard-fought win.

“That’s my life. I have my support and everybody…friends become family right? I have a big group, a very tight group.”

Only a handful of racers made it back to Maffeo Sutton Park in their tubs, with a large portion of the field again forced to call it quits.

Terry Learmonth was second back to shore, 49 minutes behind Garcia.

Complete results are published on the Bath Tub Society website.

Garcia was applauded by a large crowd gathered at Maffeo Sutton Park for the race on Sunday, July 24. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A beaming Garcia welcomed congratulations from supporters and friends, celebrating his race win after 20 years of training and competing. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Jaime Garcia collects his winners hardware from the 53rd annual World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 24. (Joanne D/102.3 The Wave)

Terry Learmonth was second back to Maffeo Sutton Park, just under three hours after leaving. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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