Bathtub Weekend is a family affair for Rohelen and Barry Anderson. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Bathtub Weekend

‘I’m at a loss for words:’ father-son duo go head-to-head in Nanaimo bathtub race

Jul 21, 2023 | 3:36 PM

NANAIMO — It’s far from an average bathtub weekend for the Andersons.

Barry, 56 and his son Roehlan, 21, are believed to be the only father and son to be competing in this year’s World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 23 in Nanaimo.

Remarkably, both competitors came in second place in the legendary race when they were 16-years-old respectively: Barry in 1983 and Rohelen in 2018.

Barry Anderson, who raced in about 20 prior Nanaimo bathtub races, said it’s a special feeling to be competing with his son.

“I’m at a loss for words, it’s something that I always wanted to do, never thought it would happen. I’m hoping for a calm race just to finish, it’s a young guy’s race when it’s rough,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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The senior Anderson, born and raised in Nanaimo and now living in Grande Prairie, said aside from hoping for calm conditions, he wants to beat his boy.

“Absolutely, they think they’re going to smoke me, but good money’s on experience.”

Barry Anderson hasn’t competed in the World Championship Bathtub Race since 2017 when he tuned up his tub for the 50^th anniversary in honour of a pair of deceased friends with close ties to the race.

His son Roehlen said he’s been doing some tune-up races in anticipation of Sunday’s big race.

He can’t wait for race day to hopefully best his father.

“He got me into it, he got me started, he really helped me with everything I know, people he grew up with did it when he did it. I’m more than honoured, I’d love to go out there on the ocean and race my dad, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The Andersons are competing in the super modified class.

Entertainment-packed weekend

Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore Greg Peacock said the entire weekend at Maffeo Sutton Park provides entertainment for a wide range of people.

The only ticketed event of the weekend is the Trooper concert to be opened by Wise Youngblood on the entertainment stage at Maffeo Sutton Park with gates opening on Friday, July 21 at 5 p.m.

There will be free musical acts on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.

A kid’s zone and beer garden will be available on Saturday and Sunday.

Numerous food trucks and community booths will be set up at the park all weekend.

A parade takes place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. starting on Albert St. at Cavan St., proceeding to Maffeo Sutton Park via Commercial and Front streets.

Peacock said more than 50 parade entries are expected this year.

“This year we have a number of tubbers that have made the effort to make sure that everything is going smoothly for them so they can enter the parade which is very exciting.”

As for the World Championship Bathtub Race, it starts on Sunday at 11 a.m., with 35 to 40 tubbers in the stock and super modified classes participating.

Tubs with their required escort boats will attempt the 58-kilometre course around the Winchelsea Islands and back to the park.

“The first tubs should be hitting the beach, depending on the weather, a little after 12:00 and then they’ll trickle in until about 3 o’clock.”

A special joint entry from the Canadian and United States Navy will be racing this year, Peacock said.

Much more information on Bathtub Weekend in Nanaimo can be found here.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes