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Silly Season
Monday, May 11th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
Summer in Nanaimo means silly boats. People start gearing up well in advance of July’s Silly Boat Regatta, the major fundraiser for the Child Development Centre.
A light-hearted sport, silly boats combine creativity and engineering, since each participating team has the job of planning, then building a winning water craft design that team members must paddle around a course in Nanaimo harbour, just outside Swy-a-lana Lagoon.
“Basically they’ve got four hours to build a boat from recycled materials – duct tape is a major component,” says Michelle Kocourek, Nanaimo Child Development Centre resource development assistant.
The annual event is the CDC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and the centre has set a new target of $125,000 to signal the event’s 25th anniversary. Last year, teams and sponsors raised more than $100,000, with all proceeds going to programs and equipment for children with developmental needs and their families.
The centre has 400 children on its wait-list, waiting an average of 18-24 months for service – both speech and occupational therapy.
“Our main goal at the centre is to eliminate the wait-list by 2010,” says Kocourek. “We have to raise over $1 million to do that through lobbying and fundraising initiatives and the Silly Boat Regatta is one of the ways we’re going to do that.”
Organizers are expecting 50 or more teams again this year, all primed to make it to the finish line without getting wet.
But staying dry is hardly realistic once the splashing starts. And getting wet is a big part of the fun. After building the boats, that is.
“It’s limited to their creativity. Some of them use bike parts and mocked up paddle wheels. Many of them use inner tubes or Styrofoam – anything that floats. ”
For many Nanaimo businesses and organizations, entering the race is a shared staff experience.
“The huge thing is it’s team-building,” Kocourek said. “Everyone works together and it’s tons of fun.”
The fun actually starts weeks or even months in advance, when teams start planning boat design and materials. That’s where the team building begins.
“Ones that are seasoned prepare well in advance and their boats show it,” Kocourek said.
The Nanaimo Child Development Centre’s 25th Annual Silly Boat Regatta takes place July 18-19 at Maffeo Sutton and Swy-a-lana Lagoon parks. There is always lots to do for non-participants too – children’s entertainers, children’s games and plenty of food booths.
For more information or to register for the fun, please call Kocourek at 250-753-0251, ext. 227 or visit www.sillyboat.com to register online.