Regatta was a huge success!

Jul 27, 2010

Hundreds took part, winners announced in 13 different events

Last weekend, they came out by the hundreds to celebrate Lake Windermere during the its first regatta in over 40 years. From sailing to scavenger hunts to photo contests, sand art and swimming, more than 100 people entered and lots took home prizes. 

“The hot, sunny weather made for a perfect setting,” said Kalista Pruden of Wildsight, who took part in organizing the event. “Hundreds of people were out enjoying Kinsmen Beach and the wind picked up just in time for the sailing!”

The afternoon was officially kicked off by Arlee Romaine. She was a local teenager during the 1964 Regatta and shared her memories of past regattas. 

First up was an early morning rowing demonstration by the Lake Windermere Rowing Club, and a waterskiing and wakeboard demonstration by Robbie Hildebrant and his crew wrapped up the afternoon. In between, there were 13 great events.

The Regatta commemorated the completion of the Lake Windermere Project, a five-year water quality monitoring and stewardship education program that ends this year. It was hosted by the Lake Windermere Ambassadors, a group of volunteer stakeholders representing all sectors of the community. 

“As the Lake Windermere Project comes to a close, the Lake Windermere Ambassadors are ready to take it on and direct future duties,” Pruden said. “They want Lake Windermere to remain a healthy ecosystem for future generations.”

Mayor Gerry Taft shared his closing remarks: “Lake Windermere is the reason that many of us live here. The condition of our lake is symbolic of the condition our community. The Regatta was an excellent opportunity to celebrate our greatest asset – a source of drinking water, a recreational haven, and a diverse and important ecosystem. If the lake is successful and thriving, both environmentally and recreationally, then our communities will continue to succeed and thrive in a balanced manner.

“The Lake Windermere Ambassadors can be thanked for putting on an amazing event today. If this is any indication of their future work, I think we are very lucky to have such a group involved, and our lake and our community will be a better place for it.

“The District of Invermere will continue to be a very strong supporter of the Lake Windermere Ambassadors and of continued involvement in our greatest asset – Lake Windermere. We will continue to work with other levels of government, Wildsight, and citizens to ensure that we are successful,” Taft said.

Pruden thanked the Regatta supporters and volunteers for making the huge event such as “splash” success. “This worked thanks to Wildsight Invermere Branch, Lake Windermere Rowing Club, the Invermere Business Committee, the Kootenay River Runners, Invermere One Hour Photo, Endeavor Fitness, Columbia River Outfitters, Columbia Valley Summerlude Team, Windermere Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Windermere Valley Historical Society, Ray Ray’s Beach Pub, Essence of Sound, Invermere Home Hardware, Invermere Valley Echo, Columbia Valley Pioneer and Tex’s Party Rentals and lots of individuals, including Lynne Grillmair, Brad Hill, Pat Morrow, Ryan Bavin, Jim Galloway, John Ashby, Ron Clarke, Arlee Romaine, Natalya Melnychuk, Tammy Stehr, Justen Foster, Mark Sebert, Kat Hartwig, Findley Spiegel, Norm Hendricks, Helen Kipp, Robbie Hildebrandt and his team, Loreen and Gavin Jacobs, Gerry Taft, Marilyn Kraayvanger, Darren Livingston, and Lee Barker” she said. “And it couldn’t have happened without our funders, the District of Invermere, Columbia Basin Trust and the Columbia Valley Community Foundation.”

Regatta Results

Volleyball

1. Team Mix
2. We Suck at This
3. Vertically Challenged

Sailing 

1. Carl Lahonvilte – “Dorthy”
2. Brain Laidlaw
3. Jim Allen – “Indulgence”

Kayak

1. Byron Leinor
2. Jeff & Devon Woodworth
3. Fe Saraina

Canoe

1. Paul Schoep
2. Doug Anakin & Tony Kraayvanger
3. Nadine, Peter, Kate & Craig Hale

“Love Your Lake” Photo Contest

1. John Pitcher
2. Jason Portras
3. Allegra Newill

Scavenger Hunt

1. Team Awesome
2. Team Jones
3. Ladda Ladies
4. Golden
5. TNT

Lake Windermere Trivia

1. Rick Fiddis
2. Goulden/Grey
3. Doug Anakin

Kid’s Swim (first heat)

1. Jake Guay
2. Garrick Bracken
3. Cole Cathcart
4. Caleb Schoepp

Kid’s Swim (second heat)

1. Allie Barsby
2. Ryker Tallis
3. Quinn Bitz

Teen’s Swim