Events > April tools
APRIL TOOLS WOODEN BOAT CHALLENGE 2023
April 29, 2023
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
Youth team results:
2023 Photo Gallery
Thank you to our many sponsors!
To sponsor April Tools 2023, please contact Jackie at
604-883-0539 or jackieordronneau@gmail.com
Additional support provided by
Sunshine Coast Resort, IGA Madeira Park, Marina Pharmacy, and Oak Tree Market |
See you on
April 27, 2024! 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! LocationApril 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
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Past April Tools Highlights
2022 Adult Races
View the full 2022 recap and photo gallery
View the full 2022 recap and photo gallery
2019 Adult Races
View the 2019 Recap & Gallery