Spirits were high at the 26th annual raft race in Fernie on Wednesday (June 22) evening.
It was the first race back at full strength following the pandemic, according to Blair Craig, co-owner of Canyon Raft Company, which puts on the event.“It’s probably one of the largest we’ve ever had,” he said.
The event took a year off in 2020 and ran a limited version in 2021 with under 50 people, but in 2022, there were about 160 eager rafters in the water.
“It was a great success.”
Dressed in colourful costumes, the 19 teams raced from the Leo T Nimsick bridge through to the the West Fernie Bridge along the Elk River, beating uncooperative weather, and keeping a gaggle of eager spectators entertained along the way.
The winning team was ‘Mow, Snow and Row’, with their guide Spencer Robertson saying the race was an exciting one.
“It was such a blast. So much community spirit, I love it,” he said. This was Robertson’s first time volunteering as a guide for the race. “I love supporting the community,” he said.
Awards were given out for first place, best costume (ERA team) for their ‘freshwater formal’ attire, family award (Never a Plaid Day on the River) and the royal sportsman award (Fun with Flags).
The race was a fundraiser for the Elk River Alliance’s (ERA) Elk River Discovery Camp for youth, with funds raised through participant registration.
Craig said the ERA is their favourite organization to donate race proceeds because of the work they did to preserve the river.
READ MORE: ‘Big fun’: Canyon Raft Company’s raft race coming up on June 22
READ MORE: After 26 years, Fernie’s Canyon Raft Company going strong
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