Beaver eager for boat races Sunday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Giant beavers have been spotted on the Rainy River in the past few weeks. It is thought that they are searching for food and are thought to be card-a-bores instead of vegetarians.
They will likely be able to feast like royalty this Sunday as the 5th Annual Great Beaver Boat Races will be held at Hannam Park at 4 p.m.
Event coordinator Jack Elliott said that the reports of the giant beavers have struck fear in the hearts of many a boaters, but he is confident that a hearty bunch of beaver slayers will be up for the task again this year.
Over the five years they have averaged about 20 entries in the event, which sees teams work on constructing a vessel out of cardboard and duct tape.
There are two main classes in the races. The open class allows teams to pre-build their boats before the weekend with just about anything goes as the rule.
The Purest Class is more limited in that teams must build their boat from two sheets of 4’ X 8’ cardboard, two rolls of duct tape and two four foot sticks all provided by the event sponsors. They have from 1-4 p.m. to build their boats. At 4 the races will begin.
The open class has proven to be very popular in years past with many teams adopting a them. Pirates of the Carribean was very popular last year. Again this year participants in this class are encouraged to dress in costume along with building and racing their theme boats.
The races will be run in heats of four but this year there has been a big change to the course of the race. In the past they have either paddled from the Second St. boat launch to Main St. boat launch or the reverse, depending on the wind. This year they will race straight out from the Main St. launch out and around a buoy in the middle of the river and back.
There are prizes for the first place times in each class but the most coveted prize each year is the Most Spectacular Sinking Award. “Everyone wants that one,” said Elliott who noted that some of those sinkings are often a result of a giant beaver tipping them out of their boats.
There is also a prize for the best theme entry.
While there is a $10 entry fee, Elliott said that just barely covers the costs of the event. “We have a Zero budget and are grateful to all our sponsors and volunteers. We have a loosey goosey committee and great sponsors.”
All the cardboard for the event is donated by Norampac of Winnipeg and the duct tape is donated by 3M. Fort Frances General Supply sponsors the trophies. Ken Trenchard makes the sticks and Eltjo and Archie Wiersema, Bill Langher and Josh Wilson all provide on the water recovery/lifeguard services. Bob McGreevy and Gordon Prose also help out extensively with the event. And this year Gerry Jolicouer will be emcee.
“There is no money at stake. No great athletic prowess needed. Just a great deal of courage and (teams) will have great fun!” said Elliott.
Teams can preregister on line at the Town of Rainy River’s Website or sign up at the Government Dock Sunday. All teams must sign a waiver, bring life jackets and their own paddles. Minors will need an adult to sign their waiver.
BREAKING NEWS: As this was going to press there was a report that the Ogo Pogo Monster has moved upstream from Lake of the Woods in search of his share of cardboard and duct tape boaters to eat. SO BOATERS BEWARE!!!!!