Some boats floated, others sank. Some stayed on board, other's swam. It was another perfect edition of Silly Boats in Nanaimo. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

big splash

VIDEO: Racers and watchers all smiles at 2023 Nanaimo Silly Boats

Jul 16, 2023 | 4:42 PM

NANAIMO — Make it three in a row for Island Red Cedar Construction Ltd.

The back-to-back defending champions made in three in a row as their blazing red five-man boat powered through the competition, blitzing the course in a time of one minute and 30 seconds in the final at Swy-a-lana Lagoon on Sunday, July 16.

Sean Smith, owner of Island Red Cedar told NanaimoNewsNOW before the race they weren’t being weighed down by expectations of another win.

“I guess pressure makes diamonds doesn’t it, may be we’re a diamond in the rough perhaps. Last year we went with four (paddlers), this year we’re going with five. We’re a little lighter, we’re a little younger, we’re hungry.”

Island Red Cedar made it three from three with blistering times in their heat and the final. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Hungry indeed.

Smith and his team made no mistakes in either of their two races, using a refined boat which had already won two straight races.

“We’ve gone with a tiller for our change this time, last time our turn around the buoy was less than elegant so we’re hoping to steer us to success,” Smith added.

Island Red Cedar comfortably cruised through their heat, which included NanaimoNewsNOW/Island Radio’s entry of “Indiana Gordie and the Radio Dial of Destiny”, despite taking on some water from spray guns on board the “Gordie”.

The five Rotary clubs of Nanaimo and Lantzville combined for a bicycle-powered boat, winning their heat. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Other top performers included Coast Hotels with a bed-inspired design and Rotary Nanaimo/Lantzville who won the day’s opening race with a boat which included a bike.

“It’s not a bicycle, it’s a paddlewheel. It’s a paddlewheel,” Doug, a Rotarian on the build crew joked. “We may have used a few bicycle parts but it is a paddle wheel and it’s engineered to win this year.”

Different entries may not have crossed the finish line first, but arguably had the most fun.

Nanaimo Youth 20/20 Can Project were all laughs even as their entry capsized within seconds of the start. Real Canadian Superstore also had some initial struggles however managed to keep it together to finish their heat.

Despite a valiant effort, paddlers from Nanaimo Youth 20/20 Can Project swam more than they floated. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The event was all in support of the Nanaimo Child Development Centre and their programming in the region through the year.

The CDC’s Michelle Kocourek said before the event the money raised is critical.

‘“Every department and service that we have is touched by fund-raised money in some way, and some only by fund-raised money. Our child and youth development summer camp is completely funded by fund-raised money.”

More photos from the event:

Coast Hotels offered up a bed-themed boat to win their heat in comfort and style. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Staff from the Real Canadian Superstore had hoped their styrofoam/zip-tie boat would carry them to victory, however it tipped on launch. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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McDonalds staff in Nanaimo made a large, colourful entry into this year’s Silly Boats. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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