Months of training for 15 teams will soon be put to the test as they race the length of Okanagan Lake this weekend.
The Penticton Paddle Sports Association is organizing the ultra-endurance race that will feature teams from BC, Alberta and one Ottawa squad.
“We are so excited to be bringing this iconic race back to the outrigger community,” said organizer Launa Maundrell from the Penticton Paddle Sports Association.
“We have one crew that is hoping to beat the record time of 8 hours and seven minutes, and I think they will do it, especially if we get a north wind. Carbon fibre canoes are getting lighter all the time, and everyone involved has been training hard all season to compete this Sunday.”
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The race will begin at 7 am at Kin Beach in Vernon on Sunday and head south, with the first stretch stopping at Fintry Provincial Park. At the park, there be a crew change and the new paddlers will go 24 km to Bear Creek Provincial Park.
At Bear Creek, there will be another crew change, and the initial paddlers will take back the reins, paddling 24 km to Peachland.
Following the Peachland crew change, paddlers will tackle a 20 km stretch to Summerland, which is known for strong winds and big waves.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed for a brisk tailwind and hopefully some surfing waves to give the canoes an extra push,” said Janelle Parchomchuk, steersperson for the Penticton team.
After the crew change in Summerland, the teams will sprint to the finish line in Penticton. Once at the beach, one paddler from each boat will run up and kiss the Penticton Peach concession stand to complete their journey.
Anyone wanting to watch the race is invited to find a place along the western shoreline of the lake and boaters are asked to keep an eye out for the outrigger canoes.
