‘We had a lot of fun out there:’ third-generation Nanaimo tubber wins 2026 World Championship race

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

Schlitz rings the bell first on Sunday, watched on by Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore Greg Peacock (right). (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

family affair

'We had a lot of fun out there:' third-generation Nanaimo tubber wins 2026 World Championship race

1h ago

community-minded tweaks

Boundary change for selected RDN properties given provincial go-ahead

9h ago

fatal collision

'Speed is being looked at:' driver killed in early morning downtown Parksville crash

Jul 25, 2026

Schlitz, in just his second-ever World Championship race, was just over 10 minutes ahead of Justin Lofstrom in second, ringing the bell at 1:35:00, while Brandon Leigh was right behind in third at 1:36:03.

He led from the start in his #805 modified tub, part of a large group of racers who left Nanaimo Harbour shortly after 11 a.m.

“I had a pretty good start, and I passed a couple of guys coming around the first corner. We were first to Entrance Island, and I kept up my same pace. We were on our own for a good chunk. It was easier going towards Winchelsea; we were coming into the winds on the way back, so going there was definitely easier.”

First to greet Schlitz after the win was his wife Jane and their two young children.

Schlitz was mobbed by friends and family immediately after finishing the race, including by his father (centre) who is a former racer. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

“It was a bit surreal having him come in,” Jane said. “I knew he was going to do it, I had this feeling that this was going to be his year and he’s put a lot of hard work into this, so it’s very emotional.”

She added her husband had “spent every day since last year prepping” for this year’s race, including having to find a new escort boat to keep up with the speed he and his crew, and manufactured over the 12 months.

Reactions from their children seeing their dad first back made the year worth it, Jane added.

“They were so excited, ‘go dadda go’ for the last hour and a half.”

Third-place finisher Brandon Leigh, who came second last year, climbs the stairs to finish his race. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Schlitz’s father Ray and grandfather Jim were all tubbers, with Schlitz keen to continue on the legacy of the event and his family’s participation.

“My dad used to do it before I was born, grew up watching my uncle race too, so it’s been a family tradition, and I want to keep it going.”

The top stock tub was Josh Hamilton in a time of 1:40:53, while the top female finisher was Powell River’s Jenna Mitchell in 1:51:15.

Bathtub races in Nanaimo date back to 1967.

Powell River’s Jenna Mitchell works her way out of her boat at the end of the race, first among female tubbers this year. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Despite less than ideal weather, a strong crowd still watched on at the race start and as tubbers returned Sunday afternoon. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook