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Penticton  

War canoe racing returns

In the early 1900s, war canoe regattas were commonplace on Okanagan Lake, and this weekend local residents will get the chance to relive that piece of history.

War canoe races are the highlight of the SteamFest Regatta, to be held Sept. 20 and 21 in Penticton.

"It's just a unique part of Penticton's sports history," said Penticton Museum curator Peter Ord. "It touches on so many unique aspects of the past including the racing, the social changes to the community seen through the use of canoes and more importantly for people these days to use an artifact in its original form in an engaging manner. It's not often museum items can be used this way."

On Okanagan Lake, the golden age of regattas went from 1905 to 1914 in communities like Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland and Penticton. At the time, both male and female crews competed for the coveted Robinson Cup.

With the onset of World War I, the regattas took a hiatus as men went off to fight. The racing continued when they returned, but for brief periods up to 2000, when four canoes were paraded as part of Peachland's millennial celebrations.

In 2010, the Penticton Museum was given the opportunity to collect and restore the four canoes, which were in various states of disrepair.

With the support of the community -- including volunteer high school students, retired canoeists and paddling enthusiasts -- museum staff decided to not just repair the watercraft, but to bring back the races from the past.

"The races should be pretty exciting, and it will be neat to see the war canoes out on the water again," said museum assistant Manda Maggs.

There is already a museum team, and other local teams set to race in two of the restored canoes. Work is still being done on the others. One is being repaired for exhibit, while the other will eventually be fixed up and returned to the water as well.

Organizers hope to bring the racing back next year with the three canoes.

The racing, along with other boat related and children's activities, is Sunday at the SS Sicamous, with the actual canoe racing at noon. There is also an antique boat show at the Penticton Lakeside Resort Marina on Saturday and a wine and tapas event, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Bufflehead.

The evening event is a small fundraiser for work on the remaining war canoes.

People interested in signing up for the racing or with further questions regarding the weekend activities can contact [email protected].



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