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Kelowna  

Pirates take over lake

Hundreds of kids took to the waters of Okanagan Lake Saturday to duke it out with several boatloads of pirates in a good, old-fashioned water fight.

The Variety Children's Charity Boat for Hope event, which began in Vancouver 20 years ago, took over Okanagan Lake for the 12th year.

Okanagan kids with special needs were invited out on 27 boats, donated by members of the Kelowna Yacht Club, to take part in a high-seas adventure, ripped from the pages of a storybook.

After a back-and-forth water fight between the kids and several pirate ships, the kids forced the pirates to give up their “booty,” a bag full of goodies.

Once back on land, the kids' bellies were filled with hot dogs and juice boxes.

“We often see the kids leaving saying, 'What day next year will you be back?'” said Bob Stewart, a past president of Variety BC.

“They look forward to it almost like Christmas.”

And the volunteers from the Kelowna Yacht Club made the day all the more special, not only donating their time and boats, but dressing up in their best pirate gear, and flying pirate flags.

“You've got a great lake, a great day and great kids, you can't lose,” Stewart said.

Willow, one of the participants, agreed that it was a really fun time.

Next Wednesday, Okanagan Oldies 103.9 will be hosting a radiothon, fundraising for Variety. Castanet readers and Okanagan Oldies listeners can call in from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 250-310-KIDS to donate.



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