Around 20 tubbers are expected on Departure Bay on Canada Day, fine tuning preparations for the big race at the end of July. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

marine fest

Nanaimo tubbers hit Departure Bay waters for Canada Day warm-up race

Jun 30, 2024 | 10:28 AM

NANAIMO — Expect some extra noise around Departure Bay on Canada Day.

Around 20 racers are expected for an exhibition bathtubs race starting and finishing at Departure Bay Beach on Monday, July 1, beginning around 4 p.m.

Greg Peacock, commodore of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society, told NanaimoNewsNOW the tide is dictating a later start time than normal, and the race provides a welcomed tune-up event ahead of the World Championship race at the end of the month.

“It’s a chance for everybody to get together as much as anything and they all help each other too, the tubbers are a unique group. They take this opportunity to chat, get things together, test their stuff out and get ready for the big race.”

Boats will be on shore by early afternoon with a driver’s meeting scheduled for 3 p.m.

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Onlookers are encouraged to come down, chat with the racers and check out the tubs up close and personal.

Peacock said many of the racers are in good form.

“They’ve already been out practicing [on area lakes] and working on their tubs over the winter and this is a chance to iron out some of the bugs, blow off the dust and have some fun.”

The Canada Day exhibition serves as the unofficial kickoff to the Nanaimo Marine Festival, which runs through the majority of July.

Highlights include the revived Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival on July 13, Silly Boats on July 21 and the World Championship Bathtub Race on July 28.

Other events surrounding Bathtub weekend, from July 26-28, include the parade, live music and vendor stalls at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Peacock said they’re making a hopefully major tweak to some of their kid’s activities, turning them into fundraisers.

“We’ve been working closely with the Tom Harris Community Foundation, and through that…we’re raising funds over the entire Bathtub weekend for the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation.”

Bouncy castles in the park, along with a concert from the Kerplunks on the Saturday will all be by donation to the Foundation.

More information on the Bathtub Weekend, as well as the Nanaimo Marine Festival, is available at their website.

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