Events
APRIL TOOLS WOODEN BOAT CHALLENGE
April Tools 2014: April 26, 10AM-4PM
Eyes on the Prize…or not
After a brief squall of sleet, it looked like Lady Luck was smiling on the 13th annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge when the day turned fair and sunny. But it was a case of blind luck… The builders discovered that their ‘twist’ included building a boat and paddle from just a half sheet of plywood, a bundle of 1 x 2s, a 2 x 2, a large sheet of plastic, some screws and the inevitable duct tape. But that was the easy part! The boat had to hold 2 occupants, one of which would be blindfolded throughout the race. Naturally this would be the person tasked with actually propelling and steering the boat, while the sighted person could only give verbal cues. As in any relationship, the secret turned out to be communication. Quickly barked orders won out over more vague ‘no, no, go right, no wait go left…’ and there was much meandering over the course -- including some side trips under the pilings of Chain Alley! But the Fireflies took a commanding lead and captured First Place and the $700 prize. There were some close races though, and Ace-It Carpentry won the $400 Second prize with the Gunboat Bay Challengers taking Third and $250. The crowd voted the Fireflies winners of the Spiffy Skiffy trophy for their good looking craft, while the judges picked The BC Fairies for the Broken Paddle perseverance award. In the Youth races, Ace-It Barge took the Trophy Race. As usual, no one actually paddled to the end of the Fun Race, but the Shortees won the swimming tug-of-war for their boat and came across the finish line first. All were rewarded by large bags of swag for their efforts. The tattoo of little kids hammering together mini-boats carried well into the races. They were kept busy all day with facepainting, fish and frog making, pot painting and all types of messy and entertaining activities. Add to this great food from the Rotary and lots of cookies from the PH Living Heritage Society, it was a pretty lucky 13th April Tools. Many thanks to our fabulous sponsors: Sunshine Coast Credit Union, Rona, PH Rotary, Bobbi and Bernie Bennett, Twentyman Tea and Coffee, Pender Harbour Diesel, Pender Harbour Automotive and Tire, KER Enterprises, Prudential Sussex Realty, Painted Boat Resort and Telus. Thanks also to Marketplace IGA, Oak Tree Market. Marina Pharmacy and Sunshine Coast Resort for their contributions. See you next year! Jackie Ordronneau & the April Tools Committee P.S. If you have some you'd like to share with us, get in touch! PHOTOS
WINNERS LIST
Adult Races
Youth Races
April Tools 2014 Race Video
- by John Farrer April Tools 2013 Recap
2013 Video
April Tools 2012 Recap
2012 Video
Videos from past participants
2011 participant, sailorpete3! 2011 participant, iotatron! |
See you next year on
Saturday, April 25, 2015! 
LocationSituated on the shore of spectacular Pender Harbour, Madeira Park is a jewel of the Sunshine Coast. With only a ferry ride and a scenic one hour drive north, it is easily accessible from both Vancouver and the lower mainland. View our location on Google Maps.
What happens on Event Day:
Family Fun Boats are available to row or paddle around the Harbour for free. In other words, you're in store for another great April Tools. If we're lucky, we may even have a be Meanwhile there are burgers and baked goods to keep everyone energized, and lots of fun activities for the little kids. After all, what would April Tools be without free mini-boatbuilding! Handmadeautiful sunny day like last year! We're really looking forward to April Tools 11---come out to Millennium Park in Madeira Park on April 28, 2012 and join us! Don't forget to check out the Photo Gallery to relive the excitement of years past. Don't forget to check our photo galleries from past event years! Thank you to our 2014 sponsors!
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