Another successful regatta was held on Sat Aug 4, 2018! This year’s weather was fitting of a beach day, and drew a crowd into the water to swim, canoe, cheer and compete in the tug-of-war. If hotdog and drink sales are an indication, we easily surpassed attendance of recent years’ regattas.
The sand castle competition ballooned from 4 to 11 castles just before final judging, competing for a variety of titles such as Most Original, Best Architected, Most Technically Difficult and Best Use of Kamaniskeg Lake Water, among others. Everyone left with a certificate recognizing the thought & effort put into their creations.
While all of the traditional swim races were run again this year (freestyle, breast stroke, backstroke and noodle races for the very young and over 50 year olds) there was an overwhelming demand for more noodle races in the intervening age categories and so our dock judges responded on the spot and met that demand. No one left the water who wanted to race! Congratulations to returning swim trophy winners Alaina Ralph and Ian Cox who rose above the steep competition again this year. Runners up were Lindsay Cox & Madison Givay for the women’s swim trophy, and Alex Tatarski & Owen Ralph for the men’s swim trophy.
The canoe races again saw some upsets with canoes going off course and tipping to cheers and laughs. Congratulations to Aleks Pyz and Tyler Young for making it through the canoe races without tipping and winning the Best All Around Competitor Trophy this year. Runners up were the team of Ryan Kodis & Kyle Demsey.
Despite a lack of wind close to the beach, our sailing competitors made it out and back to the beach without incident this year. After performance handicap adjustment, Dave & Nancy Minty took home the sailing trophy just ahead of John & Marie Craig, and Patric & Nicole Wilson. Bill Cahoon was pleased with the race’s attendance including a return of the sailboat that sunk last year. That’s a good news comeback!
As is tradition, the day finished with the always anticipated tug-of-war competition. 2 separate junior pulls were conducted to ensure that everyone enjoyed some fun and fair competition. We’re seeing younger and younger competitors who want to flex their muscles to the cheers of friends and family on the beach, so we adjusted to accommodate. The senior division came down to a “grudge” match between the Brock Millar team and the Lagerquist/Pyz family, with the Millar team prevailing.
I want to again acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the volunteers – both from KAPOA and those who jump in and help at the beach – we can’t pull this off without every one of you and your vast quantities of energy and enthusiasm. We are also very appreciative of our donors: Cathy Pitts RE/MAX Country Classics, Yuills Value-Mart (hot dog donations with support of the Pyz family) and Sand Bay Camp. In addition to food, beverage and 50/50 tickets sales, regatta donations help to cover a variety of costs that include trophy plates, medallions, ribbons, hotdogs and condiments, drinks and ice, dock repairs and signage.
And speaking of the 50/50 draw, Jennifer Lagerquist won the $215 jackpot and very generously returned it to KAPOA.
The day was finished off with a brief tribute to our dear friend and KAPOA membership director, Bob Millar, whose absence was greatly missed this year at the regatta. Bob never missed a chance to meet up with friends at the event, and to make new ones while strongly encouraging them to renew or initiate their KAPOA membership. Bob’s absence is missed every day on the lake where we’ve been accustomed to hearing his booming voice giving water ski and wake board lessons to kids big and small. Just exactly the demographic we like to see at the annual KAPOA regatta – kids big and small – see you next year!
Kerra Wylie, Lynne MacLean
KAPOA Regatta
Thank you John Michalecki! For another totally excellent archive of the day’s events.
