Rub a dub dub, it’s time to tub.
According to Great Ogopogo Bathtub Race organizer, Jim Cavin of the Summerland Yacht Club, everything (as much as possible) is in place for the premier of the event on Aug. 22.
“It’s going great and we’re really looking forward to the event,” said Cavin, who expects about 15 competitive racers in what is hoped to become an annual event. “It’s getting to the exciting part to see all the planning and all of the anticipation coming together for one, six-hour period.
“It won’t go off without a hitch, we know that, but hopefully it goes off with a minor amount of hitches and we raise some money for the hospital.”
The club is looking at bringing in about $15,000 which will go to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to help equip the new Penticton Regional Hospital tower when it is constructed.
Much like Nanaimo’s Marine Festival and World Championship Bathtub Race, the Summerland version has fun and competitive races as well as a wide variety of onshore activities.
At Peach Orchard Park the day begins at 9:45 a.m. with a fleet parade of entries and introduction of the skippers and sponsors.
Shortly afterwards will be the blessing of the racers followed by the first round robin race of the B (fun) class event.
Those skippers will do a two-mile circuit course just off the park with the top tubbers meeting in the final.
At 10:30 a.m. the A division race to Penticton and back will begin. They are expected to reach the midway point at Okanagan Lake Park in about 15 to 30 minutes and be back by about 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the event, kid’s activities, including the firetruck slide, Ogopogo Crawl and Dino Bound will begin.
There will also be face painting and kids and parents tub races.
Also at that time the Tubber’s Barbecue and beverage tents will open.
Proceeds from all activities go to the hospital foundation.
At 1 p.m. the Kids Paddle Tub Race will take place in what the organizers are calling “a fight for the supremacy of the seas.”
Wrapping up the day will be the awards dinner, dance and silent auction at the yacht club. Awards are at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment with vocals by Wendy.
“Everything is shaping up, the forecast looks good, nice weather, not a lot of wind, the stars are lining up,” said Cavin. “Hopefully if it goes good this year and it will encourage some more people to pull out the stops next year.
“If it’s too good that’s a problem we’ll gladly handle.”
More information can be found on the race website at: ogopogobathtubrace.com.