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Events > April tools

APRIL TOOLS WOODEN BOAT CHALLENGE 2023

April 29, 2023 in Madeira Park
For the 20th April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge at Millennium Park in Madeira Park, we had some of the warmest and sunniest weather we've ever had for April Tools! The teams built some fantastic vessels and the crowds came to enjoy the races, the sun, and some great food and fun.

Teams of four created a two-person paddleboard in 3 hours from the materials provided. Their board had to hold two people standing up, and be steady and strong enough enough to race around the course as fast as possible. Surprisingly, all boards made it around the course without any mishaps, although some were certainly faster than others. Our local Pender Harbour High School students also built boats and raced around the course at April Tools. 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated, sponsored, and attended the event! Please check out our wonderful sponsors below the photo gallery. See you next year!

Adult Team results
  • 1st place: The Fireflies 
  • 2nd place: Gunboat Bay Challenger
  • 3rd place: Adult Supervision Required
  • Spiffy Skiffy: Gunboat Bay Challenger
  • Broken Paddle Award: Which Way is Up
Full results (pdf)
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Fireflies - 1st Place 2023
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Gunboat Bay Challenger - 2nd place + Spiffy Skiffy 2023
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Adult Supervision Required - 3rd place 2023
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Which Way is Up - Broken Paddle Award
Youth team results:
  • 1st place: Men of War (grade 9)
  • 2nd place: The Impaler (grade 10,11)
  • 3rd place: Speedy Spices (grade 9)
Full results (pdf)
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Men of War - 1st place youth 2023
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The Impaler (teammate missing) - 2nd place youth 2023
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Speedy Spice - 3rd place youth 2023
See you on
​April 27, 2024!
Register
your team
You can either
A. Register online and send your entry fee via etransfer
-or-
B. Download an entry form and follow the instructions provided to mail your form and fee. You can also pay by etransfer this way too.
See details here

What is April Tools?

In this fun annual event, teams of up to 4 people build a boat from the materials provided, but nobody knows what the materials will be until the day of the race! Then they race around the harbour for cash prizes. There are also youth races with boats built by local high school students, and activities for kids, including face painting, crafts, and mini boat building.
Spectators are welcome!

Location

April Tools is held at the Madeira Park government dock (12967 Madeira Park Rd) in Pender Harbour.

Situated on the shores of spectacular Pender Harbour, Madeira Park is a jewel of the Sunshine Coast. Only a ferry ride and scenic one-hour drive north, it's easily accessible from the lower mainland. 

​On Event Day:

10 am: the twist and building materials are revealed to the teams. They have one hour to plan out their boat. Hand tools only!

11 am - 2 pm: Boatbuilding action, plus lots of activities for kids, museum displays, snacks, and more.

2 pm: Youth Races: the teams run 2 races: the trophy race and the free-for-all

2:45-3 pm (approx.): Adult races start. It's float, sink, or swim. Will they even get all the way around the course? Upsets of all kinds can happen, and usually do! 

Family Fun 
  • Lots of fun activities for the little kids, including crafts, face painting, and free mini-boatbuilding! 
  • Wooden boats are available to row or paddle around the harbour for free.  
  • Burgers and baked goods keep everyone energized.​

Past Events:
​Recap & Photo Galleries
2023 Photo Gallery
Thank you to our ​many sponsors!
Rachel Manley
Sales Representative, Sotheby's Realty
​
Rachel's website
[email protected]
778.229.7694 
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Formerly Pender Harbour Diesel
Additional support provided by
Sunshine Coast Resort, IGA Madeira Park, 
​​Marina Pharmacy, and Oak Tree Market