3rd Annual Choo Kwa Challenge Announced
Saturday July 29th

Canoe Paddlers From all over are invited to race for the coveted Golden Paddle.
Spectators of all sorts are invited to watch this fun, family-oriented and free event.

SCHEDULE:

July 29
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.: team check-in and vendor set-up
10:00 a.m.: Canoe Parade ~ all water craft welcome!
10:00 to finish: Canoe Races
12:00 p.m. to 6:00: bands, kid's obstacle course, and vendors at the Victoria Quay
End of Round Robin Tournament: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Paddles awarded, Victoria Quay
approximately 6:30 p.m. to close Choo Kwa Challenge After Party at Batstar Cafe & Picnic

BIG NEWS! DUE TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS, CANOE TEAM REGISTRATION FEES HAVE BEEN WAIVED FOR 2006!

Ahahswinis, Port Alberni, British Columbia: The Hupacasath First Nation hosts the Choo Kwa Challenge on Saturday July 29th, a day of legendary canoe races on the Somass River.

Paddling teams are invited to register their canoes and race in a good-spirited, fun, and suspenseful day on the Somass River. Years long rivalries are settled at this Challenge, so phone up your arch-paddlers and challenge them to a battle of brawn at the Choo Kwa Challenge.

Hand carved First Nations paddles are awarded as prizes for winners of the round robin tournament. “We are looking forward to trading up to gold,” says 2005 Silver Paddle-winning Team Batstar member Chris Marshall.

The Choo Kwa Challenge is a celebration of community spirit and Hupacasath history. It reinterprets & reaffirms the presence of canoes on the Somass River, which were a primary form of transportation for Hupacasath. Presenting the canoe races is a modern interpretation of traditional culture that all can take part in.

Spectators can gather on the boardwalk at the Victoria Quay to watch the races. Bands will play from noon to 6 and an inflatable obstacle course will be available for the kids. There will be food and gift vendors as well as the usual ice cream, drinks, and gifts for sale in the Choo Kwa Gift Shop.

The Choo Kwa Challenge is entirely free for spectators and racers.

The Hupacasath First Nation and Choo Kwa Ventures Guided Cultural Canoe Tours are hosts of the event. Van City Capital (Platinum Sponsor), Boughton Law Corporation (Gold Sponsor), Royal Bank Financial Group (Gold Sponsor), Terasen Gas (Silver Sponsor), Eagle Rock Materials (Silver Sponsor), Peter Grant & Associates (Silver Sponsor) and Batstar Cafe and Picnic (Bronze Sponsor) are confirmed sponsors, with more to be added. The Choo Kwa Challenge Team would like to thank these organizations for their community spirit and their dedication to our event.


Download a Choo Kwa Challenge Poster to put up at your business!

SCHEDULE:

July 22
Last day to register

July 29
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. team check-in and vendor set-up

10:00 a.m. Canoe Parade ~ all water craft welcome!
Races begin directly after and continue until the tournament is completed.
Race start at the Hupacasath dock and end at the green buoy at the Victoria Quay

12:00 p.m. to 6:00 bands, kid's obstacle course, and vendors at the finish line by the Choo Kwa Gift Shop

End of Round Robin Tournament: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Paddles awarded

approximately 6:30 p.m. to close Choo Kwa Challenge After Party at Batstar Cafe & Picnic

RACE TEAMS

Entry fee is WAIVED. Teams must bring their own canoe or make arrangements to borrow one from another team before race day. Teams absolutely must be in touch with Race Manager Rod Sayers (250-723-7632) to register and pick up their team rules and registration package by the registration deadline. Batstar Adventure Tours, a Choo Kwa Challenge Bronze Sponsor, will be providing all racers and Challenge volunteers with water and juice on site at the Challenge, as well as a $5 gift certificate to use at Batstar Cafe & Picnic.

Once again, Paddling Teams need to speak with Race Manager Rod Sayers (rocketsayers@hotmail.com) before submitting their registration forms. Teams will then be provided with a rules and registration package from the Choo Kwa Ventures Gift Shop (724-TOUR) or phone Rod Sayers (723-7632) to have them emailed.

Download an Invitation to Send to your Arch-Paddlers!

Download the Press Release

VENDORS

Vendors can set up at the Victoria Quay for $20 per table. Electricity is available on a first come, first served basis. Vendors can fill out a registration form from the Choo Kwa Ventures Gift Shop (724-4006) or through Alisha Sester (723-5000.) You can also download the form here and mail, email, or fax the form back to Choo Kwa.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed on race day! We need station liasons, help with the Canoe Teams, and people to work the finish line site with the bands, obstacle course, and vendors. In exchange for your help, we will feed you, and Batstar has donated a $5 gift certicate to Batstar Cafe and Picnic. We'll make sure you have fun at the Challenge After Party.

To register, be a vendor, or volunteer contact: Alisha Sester, Choo Kwa Ventures manager at 723-5000
Choo Kwa Ventures Gift Shop and Canoe Tours at 250-724-4006
Race manager Rod Sayers at 723-7632