The Nanaimo to Vancouver bathtub race ran from 1967 to 1996
When I moved to Vancouver in the mid 1980s, I lived in an apartment at Third and Cypress in Kitsilano. Over the next 12 years, I moved two more times up Third Avenue, and one of my summer highlights was heading down to the beach every July for the Nanaimo to Vancouver bathtub races.
I was excited when Bruce Stewart told me he had taken photos of the race and the crowds in 1978 – did I want to see them? I did. I think you’ll love them to.
Fun Facts:
- The first race was held in 1967 as a Centennial project for Canada’s 100th birthday. It was supposed to be a one-time event but it ran every year for three decades.
- The route across the Georgia Strait is 55 kilometres (give or take)
- More than 200 tubbers participated that first year with forty-seven completing the course
- Engines had to be a maximum of six hp
- Frank Ney was a huge promoter of the bathtub races. Frank was the mayor of Nanaimo from 1967 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1990. There is a statue of him in Nanaimo wearing a pirate’s outfit.
- In 1978 the winner was Gary Deathbridge, a 23-year-old plumber from my hometown, Melbourne, Australia. His secret? He lay prone in his tub for added speed leaving his legs to hang outside. Deathbridge made the crossing in just under an hour and a half.
- Not to rub it in, but Australians won the bathtub races in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
- In 1978 there was a four month beer strike – from June until September.
- Penny Tremain, 25 of Vancouver was the first woman to finish. She placed third overall, weighing in at 94 pounds (42-kilos)
Related:
- Italian Days 1977
- The Evolution of Devonian Harbour Park
- Aborted Plans: All Seasons Park
- The Dollarton Pleasure Faire of 1972
- Walks with Fred Herzog
- The Stanley Park Easter Be-Ins
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