South Okanagan

Life's the pits - July 26, 2012

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Jon Ferebee, news director for 97.1 Sun FM, was the winner in the media category at the Great Cherry Pit Spit contest in Naramata

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Champion pit spitter Kim Russell came back to defend her title at the Great Cherry Pit Spit contest in Naramata on Wednesday dressed to the nines

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Adam Silvers, a visitor from Minnesota, competes in the Great Cherry Pit Spit contest at the Naramata Community Market Wednesday, as last year's winner Kim Russell looks on

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A Naramata woman held on to her title of cherry pit spitting champion at a special event at the community market Wednesday afternoon.

For the third year in a row, Kim Russell spat a pit just  under 30 feet in the adult category of the Great Cherry Pit Spit contest.

“A bottle of wine is at stake and I want to keep the win in Naramata,” she said, as she readied for the activity.
As for the secret to her success,  Russell,  who was clad from head to toe in cherry-themed clothing,  credits that to fashion and fun.

Adam Silvers, a visitor from Minnesota, offered some close competition this year, leading to a spit off which Russell won.

Also demonstrating their pit spitting prowess were several members of the media. Emanuel Sequeira, sports editor for the Penticton Western News, was back to defend his title.

“I am definitely feeling a little pressure, but I am ready,” he said.

Ultimately, the winner in the media category was Jon Ferebee,  news  director for 97.1 Sun FM, with a spit of 32 feet. Ferebee was hoping for a good tailwind going into the competition and believes he got just that.

“I felt a gust of wind from behind just before, but it was my height that helped,” he said.

In the contest, people of all ages participate in different categories for prizes, including a bottle of wine for first place. There are typically about 50 participants each summer.

The goal is simply to spit a cherry pit as far as you can.

“Some people are shy, but once everyone gets going, it is pretty cool,” said Darren Rettie, manager of the Naramata Community Market Society.

Ashley Smillie, a competitor in the age 6 to 10 category, comes out every year when her family visits from High River, Alberta.

“I tried it last year and it was a lot of fun and the prizes are always reasonable,” she said. “Plus I like cherries.”