Nanaimo Bathtub Races

Bathtub day is the biggest day in Nanaimo. An annual tradition that as been going on for 40 years, big time racers strap on their helmets, gas up their motors and head into the Straight of Georgia for a 36 mile run up the coast of Vancouver Island. This year there were 51 participants--3 of them women. They leave from Nanaimo harbor which is a total circus prior to departure. They're zipping all around so the spectators can get some pics, then the wistle sounds and off they go.

In the beginning "tubbers" would construct their watercraft from found objects, but today the bathtubs are made from molded, lightweight fiberglass, as you'll see from the pictures.


#369 warms up for the big race


Ready....set...go!


Escort boats


Racers in the straight--that is the mainland of BC in the distance