Rub-a-dub-dub, it’s time to race bathtubs.
The KitsFest Bathtub Race returns this weekend, with more than 20 racers ready to splish and splash their way around English Bay in their custom made bathtub boats.
The one-mile race will see 25 ‘tubbers’ race around an L shaped circuit near the waters off Kits Beach this Saturday, Aug. 10. Kicking off at 2pm racers will be split into three divisions and compete in multiple heats for glory.
Organizers say some of the tubs can exceed speeds of 30km/h.
The bathtub races returned to Vancouver last year after more than two decades, courtesy of the Canada One Foundation, Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society and the Pitblado Group in cooperation with The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
Historically, the bathtub races took place across the Strait of Georgia between Nanaimo and Vancouver from 1967 to 1996. The peculiar race was created to showcase Nanaimo to rest of the world. Nowadays, the race in Nanaimo stretches along the eastern waters off Vancouver Island.
If you’re thinking it’s all a little silly… well, you’d be right.
Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society Commodore Greg Peacock, who was excited to bring the historic races back to Vancouver last year, says the camaraderie and silliness is essentially what makes bathtubbing, bathtubbing.
“It’s a bunch of friends, they get together to build one of these things [bathtub boats],” Peacock told the Courier.
“You’ve got to remember it started for fun. It was a silly event.”
KitsFest runs Aug. 9 to 11. The annual sports and healthy lifestyle festival offers a chance to enjoy the sunshine and play sports on the beach. The festival also offers time to relax during a sunset yoga session.
A licensed beer garden with a 1,200-person capacity will open by noon Saturday.
Plus, there will also be a DJ and prizes.
The Kitsfest RVYC Bath Tub Race
Where: Kits Beach
Date: Saturday, Aug. 10
Time: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
— With files from John Kurucz
