Nanaimo Bathtub Race pics

[kev282]

Hi, first off I'll introduce myself. I've been a member of this forum for awhile now and have enjoyed browsing around, mainly in the history section. I'm a member of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society and have raced in the great race for the last 5 years. I recently completed a project on the history of the bathtub races and had it published. It's a year by years history of the race, complete with pictures. It took me over a year of researching and writing to complete, and along the way I came across some great pictures. here is a sneak peak at some of the pics I came across in my research dating back to the late 60's/early 70's era of the race. enjoy!

[Flugel Horn]

Good to see you on this forum Kev. Welcome, and good-work.

[Nostradama]

for posting those pictures. They bring back a lot of memories. More, please?

[kev282]

no prob. The bathtub society let me go through their archives when I was working on my book, and I scanned literally hundreds of pictures. It was hard to choose which ones to put in my book since I had so many. My book will be for sale this summer (I have a few promo copies right now, they look awesome!) The bathtub society is hoping to include it with the rest of their souvenirs for sale on bathtub weekend. I'll look through the pics and find some more good ones.
BTW, some historical facts on these pics- First one is the very first prototype racing bathtub at Departure Bay (with Frank Ney on the left)... 2nd pic is Rusty Harrison, the winner of the first race in 1967... 3rd pic I'm not too sure who it is but its from the early days... 4th pic is Jamie Wilmot, first Australian winner 1973... 4th pic is an overhead shot of one of the first races (I have the same pic in colour framed in my garage)... and ofcourse the last pic is Frank Ney waving his sword at the start of the race.

More pics to follow....

[kev282]

more pics

Phil Holt of Australia


Reg Dorman


Departure Bay Fire Dept. tub driven by Robin Pederson, won the first ever circuit race at the 1969 Kelowna Regatta (apart from the great race we run about 8-10 small circuit races every summer)


the late Stan Vollmers, 1968 great race winner, ran the entire race standing up that year.

[Nostradama]

Are there any retail stores (considering that a lot of our small independent bookstores are gone) where your book will be available? I won't be around during Bath Tub Week or whatever it's offically called now. But I'd really like to buy a copy. Great to see Stan Vollmers. I taught with his wife. I think there will be lots of memories for me.

[kev282]

there is one store that already has my book. Best Choice Books on Waddington rd. (In that small building that used to be a convenience store) I gave them a few promo copies to sell... Its a nice little book store, great coffee shop too..