HUNTSVILLE, ON – Thousands of spectators were on hand to find out who the best bathtub racers were in Muskoka.
It was the 2019 Rotary Dockfest race. 40 local businesses, not-for-profits and media teams launched from a perfectly good dock in modified bathtubs with low horsepower outboard engines trying not to tip into the Muskoka River in downtown Huntsville.
Racers had to navigate around obstacles, throw balls into boats, land a ring on a floating picnic table, all the while jostling for position with other racers.
In the end, it was the boat from Pub on the Docks taking home the trophy, and frankly not much more than bragging rights for a year.
In the media category, the Moose FM entry took top honours with volunteer driver Sarah Lawson. In the overall final the Moose boat was in good form until some skulduggery by another racer tipped our quality driver over and out of contention.
Past Rotary President Kim O’Grady was pleased with how this year’s event went off.
“This is our seventh year and this year we are donating the funds raised to Habitat for Humanity,” she said. “We got a great turnout and we could not do this without the support of local businesses.”
Based on previous years she estimates between tub sponsorships, the raffle and auction that close to $20,000 will be raised.
“We had great racers this year,” O’Grady said. “We had a few dumps which is to be expected, it’s all part of the show. It was a great day and Mother Nature cooperated which really helped.”