Events > April Tools > 2011
April Tools 2011: Recap & Media Gallery
What a Day for April Tools 2011!
- May 1, 2011, Pender Harbour
It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for the 10th annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge, a welcome change from our blustery on-and-off spring! But the action on the race course was anything but smooth and balmy! The very limited list of building materials--only 1 1/8 sheets of plywood, a few 1X2s, a 2X2, some screws, a rope, a roll of duct tape and a lot of caulk--forced builders to the edge of what will float. Actually some didn't, at least not for long! Adding to the complexity this year was that it was a relay, with one paddler getting off on a float near the finish, and the second paddler completing the course. This all occurred within easy viewing of the large crowd, much to their delight! But it's hard to keep a good team down and Garden Bay's Fireflies again emerged victorious in their sleek and longer-than-you-would-think-possible-with-only-1-sheet-of-plywood craft. Coming in second and third, respectively, were Ladner's SS Wim and Team Natalus, both long time participants who put in their best finishes ever. But finishing first isn't everything as Team Jaschinski proved by doggedly paddling their surfboard to take this year's Broken Paddle Award. Good looks count too, with Madeira Park's Raid picking up the Spiffy Skiffy Award. As for the teenagers, Team Awesome took the Trophy Race again this year, with the girls' teams The Cap'm Longjohn and Rainbow Ninja Pirates coming in second and third. The Fun Race was it's own wet thing, of course, with Blood, Sweat and Tears taking first place. Sawyer Cote showed that the grade 8 boys had amazing perseverence by swimming his boat over nearly half the course before getting some help to get it across the line. There were prizes all around, but no one escaped dry. As for the little kids, tons of miniboats boats were made, painted and floated, faces were painted and crafts were crafted! At times the kids activities tent was a veritable hive of youthful construction! The Rotary and the PHLHS kept everyone fed, and the Museum displays brought both entertainment and education to the event. Even the classic boats got their chance to be paddled arround the Harbour under a clear blue sky. It was a great day! Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors: the Sunshine Coast Credit Union, Rona, Twentyman's Tea and Coffee, the Grasshopper Pub, and Bobbi and Bernie Bennett. Special thanks to Marketplace IGA, Oak Tree Market, Marina Pharmacy,and Coast Video for the teen prizes, and to Sunshine Coast Resort for additional funding. |
APRIL TOOLS 2011 MEDIA GALLERY
Boat-building, Displays & Activities
Youth Races
Adult Races
Awards Ceremonies
2011 participant video by SailorPete3
2011 participant video by Iotatron
News Archives
10 Fabulous Years for April Tools
- Jan. 19, 2011, Pender Harbour It's hard to imagine that the 10th Annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge is approaching on April 30, 2011. Ten years of the creative use of unexpected materials, quick'n'dirty boat construction, and headlong (sometimes literally...) races in beautiful Pender Harbour! Time flies when you're having fun! Members of the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society are currently working hard to come up with an unexpected 'twist' to make the 2011 boatbuilders really stretch their imaginations-or maybe 2 twists! Contestants will see their building materials for the first time on April 30 at 10 AM and will have 1 hour to design a craft that will meet all the race criteria. Then, using only hand tools and battery powered screw guns, they will have 3 hours to build a boat sound enough to make it around a course at Pender Harbour's Government Wharf. Piece of cake! One eligibility heat, one final heat, and on to cash prizes, trophies and best of all...bragging rights! Not to be outdone, the teenagers will have a 'trophy race' followed by their famous, no-holds-barred 'fun race.' Always a crowd-pleaser, this race often has more to do with swimming than paddling ability- but who knows? Treat bags from the local businesses make it all worthwhile. The little kids will have the chance to build, paint and float a mini-boat as well as enjoy other fun building and crafts projects. All are free--no boredom here! Rounding it out will be a Rotary BBQ, lots of baked goods, the chance to row or paddle a boat in the Harbour and more. What's not to like? Keep the date open--Saturday April 30 from 10 AM to 4PM-and enjoy spring in Pender Harbour! You'll see why we're still at after 10 years! Better yet, enter a team and see if you can meet the Wooden Boat Challenge. Teams of up to 4 enter for $160, or send in your entry before April 1 and it'll only cost you $140. This covers all boatbuilding materials and scores you a 10th Anniversary T-shirt. All you need to do is bring your hand tools, your best ideas and your sense of fun. Printable entry form below. |