Around 50 racers are expected in the Nanaimo Harbour to contest the 2024 World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 28. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

start your engines

‘That record could be up for grabs:’ conditions prime for extra fast World Championship bathtub race

Jul 28, 2024 | 6:31 AM

NANAIMO — Engines are fine-tuned, race plans readied and racers are ready to go.

Around 50 boats are expected to line up in Nanaimo Harbour on Sunday, July 28 ahead of the 11 a.m. start time for the annual World Championship Bathtub Race.

Race commodore Greg Peacock said the 60-kilometre course will test not only the boats themselves, but also the physical condition and resiliency of the racers.

“It’s brutal. By the time you’ve been crunched up in there, depending on the weather if it’s rough, these guys are usually pretty banged up and stiff. The fastest guys are doing it in a little over an hour…it’s gruelling.”

Peacock said the weather is forecast to provide great conditions for racers.

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The 2023 race saw Brandon Skipper set a new record of one hour and 45 seconds, something which may be at risk this year.

“We expect with what we’re reading in the weather forecast right now, that record could be up for grabs again. These guys have had the chance to fine-tune their vessels a bit, they’ve been out practicing…they’re flying. Some of those super modified guys are doing over 40 miles an hour (65 kilometres per hour/35 knots)”

Brandon Skipper is checked over by a medical crew after the 2023 race, which he won in record time. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

While the race itself is difficult, the finish is an extra element of torture for those competing.

After over an hour kneeling in a small craft, travelling in potentially rough ocean waters, tubbers must then make one final trek from their boats, unaided up several stairs and a ramp to the bell staged by the Frank Ney statue in the park.

“The race from the beach up to the bell is a lot of times very exciting. You can go as fast as you want through the course and you can get there, but if you can’t get out of your tub in the water…and no one’s allowed to help the tubber at all…they’re completely on their own.”

Peacock said the bell was found by Ney in the early 70’s and it’s formed a tradition with the event they’ll “continue forever.”

Aside from enjoying the start and finish at Maffeo Sutton Park, best vantage points for the race include Pipers Lagoon, Neck Point and oceanfront beaches in Lantzville and Nanoose Bay.

Family activities continue in the park all day Sunday, with racers expected to return to the park throughout the afternoon with the course and race officially closing off at 3 p.m.

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