Pirates sink competiton in duct tape boat races

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

A parade of thundershowers didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors or spectators at the 6th Annual Great Beaver Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Races in Rainy River on Sunday. Twelve teams of nautical geniuses showed of their engineering and piratical skills for an appreciative audience of several hundred.
Purist classes- those boats built race day- faced particular construction challenges, taking shelter in the town garage to assemble their craft. Theme craft built in the days and weeks prior to the races demonstrated some great imagination.
The Holmes family boasted three entries but their hopes were dashed – and sunk- by a pirate brig, the Carrie Ann, crewed by Carrie Bragg and Cassie Westover. The Carrie Ann earned award for Best Time as well as Best Theme in the Open Class as these buccaneers of the Rainy River trounced all comers. Their vicious sinking of the Tica, Tica, Tica crewed by Kenny Holmes and Patrick Vogan after both vessels exchanged numerous broadsides and hand-to-hand sword play, brought cheers from the crowd of shore-bound spectators.
Tica, Tica, Tica however, may have won in the end as they took top honours with The Fort Frances Supply ‘Most Spectacular Sinking’ award.
In other categories perennial winners, The Crozier Pie Rats crewed by Kirby and Alyce Ewald took first place over six other teams in the Family Event with a time of 2:32. Tolen Raiders, Robert and Abby took second, and the Lara, with Lara Wood and Kam Kuzyk placed third.
In the youth class, Zach Tolen and Nick Teeple took top spot, while Team Armstrong, Sarah and Kylie were awarded a plaque for determination after having to be rescued as their craft was swept down river, but refused to sink. The official chase boat captained by Gordon Prost with lifeguards Josh Wilson and Tyler Ketchum managed to snag Team Armstrong and tow it back toward dry dock before it could be attacked by a ravenous Great Beaver. Unfortunately it capsized and was lost prior to reaching safety. The screams of crew members echoed across the swirling waters, but they safely reached shore.
Although not sighted this year, the Great Beaver was rumoured to be circling in the middle of the river waiting to feast on its favourite foodstuff- cardboard, duct tape, and crew members. The battleship Wiersema circled off shore to provide a defensive deterrent to an attack by the beast.
The high water and strong current provided special challenges for this year’s competitors. As well officials Bob McGreevy and Jack Elliott threw an additional curve at contestants when they cut the allotment of duct tape to two smaller rolls.
“Cheapskates,” commented the Crozier Pie-Rats.
Elliott was rewarded with a dosing of the Rainy River, as was master of ceremonies Gerry Jolicoeur, and Captain Gordon Prost. McGreevy managed to slink off in disgrace unscathed.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to all the spectators, competitors, sponsors and a host of volunteers who continue to make this annual event such a success. All are looking forward to a repeat in 2009.