On Aug. 11, right after the Peachfest Parade wound up, a vintage Penticton war canoe made its way along Okanagan Lake. This took place thanks to a stalwart crew of paddlers from the Penticton Racing Canoe Club, Penticton Paddling Centre, Raymond James Dragonboat Festival and the Survivorship Dragonboat Team, as well as volunteers from the SS Sicamous museum staff. Special thanks also go to Tyson Bull, veteran war canoe competitor, who helped the crew train to handle this very challenging and tricky craft.
Our goal is restore the remaining two vintage canoes, giving us three racing canoes, and holding a challenge race between three teams next summer, to benefit the charity of the winner’s choice. Canoe racing is a huge part of Penticton’s heritage — just check out the photos on display on the SS Sicamous in the war canoe display.
If you’d like to support this challenge race, we need to restore the two vintage war canoes for next summer. The cost will be about $2,500. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the SS Sicamous Inland Marine Museum or Penticton Museum. Be sure to indicate they are for the war canoe restoration.
Greg Hollingsworth
SS Sicamous Inland Marine Museum