Skip to content

UPDATE: Bathtub racers all trying for top spot in Nanaimo

Great International World Championship Bathtub Race race takes place Sunday (July 23) in Nanaimo
7756883_web1_170720-NBU-Bathtub2017II
Katharine Lamoureux was first in the women’s division at last year’s Great International World Championship Bathtub Race. She wants to be No. 1 overall in 2017. This year’s great race is Sunday (July 23). (KARL YU/The News Bulletin)

While Katharine Lamoureux was first among women in last year’s World Championship Bathtub Race, a repeat performance in 2017 won’t quench her competitive spirit.

The championship race is set for Sunday (July 23) at Maffeo Sutton Park, beginning at 11 a.m., and Lamoureux, who finished 28th overall in 2016, has her crosshairs locked on first overall. She said choppy waters will make it easier for her to accomplish that as she races in the stock class.

“I need it to be a really rough year if that’s going to happen, just because I do race stock and the [super modified tubs] are quite fast, so I don’t have a chance at beating them unless it’s a rough year, but stock, definitely I’m aiming for No. 1 in that regardless of what the weather is doing,” said Lamoureux.

She said she doesn’t want to race with a modified engine just yet, as she’s a bit of a purist and is determined to win stock before switching.

As for her prediction for Sunday, Lamoureux said anything can happen.

“I’m really optimistic and would love to see Top 10,” she said.

Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay is also looking for top spot as he has challenged other elected representatives in the Regional District of Nanaimo for a pedal boat race in Sway’ A’ Lana Lagoon at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

As of Tuesday, Bill Veenhof, regional district board chairman and last year’s winner, was the only one who had committed.

McKay said the vessels will be “two bathtubs strapped in a pontoon form with a bicycle that runs a paddle that propels it forward,” the same as ones used by Frank Ney, former Nanaimo mayor.

McKay said he has learned from last year’s loss.

“I’m going to take that [medal] from the chair of the regional district,” said McKay. “We’ll see who’s king of the castle here.”

Veenhof said history will repeat itself.

“Quite frankly, [McKay’s] chances are all washed up before he leaves the dock … my intention would be to run rings around his bathtub,” said Veenhof.

Justin Lofstrom, who set a record and took first place in 2016, told the News Bulletin he won’t be defending his title due to work commitments.

Bathtub weekend will also include live music, Shaw Sailpast on Wheels Parade and the Bathtub Days Street Fair.

The championship race begins Sunday at 11 a.m.

For a program of the weekend’s activities, follow the Facebook link below.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com



Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
Read more