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Penticton Racing Canoe Club hosts 1st race in 2 years on Skaha Lake

The annual Duel in the Desert race welcomed competitors to the Peach City after a pandemic hiatus
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The Penticton Racing Canoe Club hosted the annual Duel in the Desert Race on May 7 and 8 for the first time in two years. (Photo- Pat Keller)

Paddlers from across B.C. and Alberta touched down in Penticton on May 7 and 8 for a weekend of competitive canoe racing.

The Penticton Racing Canoe Club hosted more than 35 paddlers for the annual Duel in the Desert race on Skaha Lake after a two-year hiatus, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last weekend’s event marked the start of the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association’s 2022 CORA Cup Race Series, with a Vancouver-based club winning both the men’s and women’s long-distance races.

Penticton-based athletes, however, didn’t fare too bad themselves, with Thyra Carroll’s time of 52:48 good enough for the fastest among women in the Saturday field.

The event was divided into two days: Saturday was dedicated to six-person outrigger canoe racers and Sunday for small boat races.

Local competitors Don Mulhall, Matt Pinsenault and Stu Rahkola also represented the Peach City well, finishing as three of the top men.

Paddlers of all ages competed in the annual race.

Along with the display of Western-Canadian competition, the event was used as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the new Skaha Lake boathouse.

People interested in donating to the fundraiser are asked to contact the Penticton Dragon Boat Festival or the Penticton Racing Canoe Club.

READ MORE: Community invited for free dragon boat racing practice at Penticton’s Skaha Lake Park


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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