Okanagan posted May 21, 2020 @ 02:45pm by Josh Duncan

The 2020 Summerland Ogopogo Bathtub Race has been cancelled

Another popular Okanagan summer event has been cancelled for 2020.

The Summerland Ogopogo Bathtub Race, originally scheduled for Aug. 22, will not take place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia

“It is unfortunate to have to cancel the event however it is essential that the restrictions be in place to ensure the successes made to battle COVID-19 are not lost”, said Jim Cavin, Summerland Yacht Club.

This year’s event was going to be a sanctioned race for the very time, which would make it part of the world championship circuit.

A number of “tubbers” from outside the region were booked to attend to compete for points towards the season-long title.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia

“This year was to be the sixth year of the race which started as a five-year fundraising project of the Yacht Club to purchase medical equipment for the new tower at the regional hospital,” said Roger Gallant, Summerland Yacht Club.

“With the goals met the club was going to let the races go until the Rotary Club and Chamber approached us to partner up and to make the races the preeminent summer event in Summerland”

In addition to the race becoming sanctioned, the event was going to expand with live music, a kids’ fun zone, hospitality area, sand castle contests, celebrity races and much more.

The race is set to return in 2021 on Saturday, Aug. 21.

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