Boat racers braved the waters in Nanaimo's harbour despite the inclement weather this past weekend.
The Crazy 8 Outrigger Race took place in the waters off Brechin Boat Ramp on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, organized by the Nanaimo Ocean Paddling Club. With rain and winds gusting to 40 kilometres an hour in the late morning March 8, according to Environment Canada, Wolf Presslauer, club commodore, said adjustments had to be made for the 12km race, which traditionally runs around Saysutshun.
"Normally we go on the outside, but it's just too rough today, so we're staying on the inside," Presslauer told the News Bulletin.
There were 38 teams from all over the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island competing. This weekend's event was the 18th Crazy 8 Outrigger Race and while the weather was better last year, there is something special about outrigger racing in the Harbour City, according to the club commodore.
"That's the beauty of Nanaimo," Presslauer said. "In other places, they actually cancel the races. We never do here, because we can always come on the inside for some fairly calm water."
Outrigger teams raced on Saturday, while single-person outriggers raced Sunday.
The event is timed and sanctioned by the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association.
