Another successful Sproat Lake Regatta is in the books. The three-day event kicked off at Sproat Lake Provincial Park on Friday, July 11 with an open house in the pits for everyone to chat with owners and check out their boats.
The event was a bit of a family reunion for the 'Haulin' Nass' team, as three generations of the Nass family gathered for the weekend. Cody Nass is a Formula One powerboat racer now based in Surrey. His grandfather, Ray Nass, re-started the regatta more than a decade ago with the late Joe VanBergen. And Cody's father Mike, now retired from racing, was back to watch his son carry on the tradition.
Cody learned the mechanics from his dad Mike, who continues to be there for his son.
Cody got his first boat in 2022 and has been racing for four years. Last year he raced in memory of his grandfather and had a winning year.
Cody's Formula One tunnel boat debuted its new paint job in May. "I saw my boat in the States and got it last year," he said. "It was fully stripped down and Maskall’s Collision did all of the body work and paint while I did the work on the mechanics of the boat."
Mike Maskall has been in boat racing for many years. He recalled a time in the United States in 2014 when he had a major accident that broke his back along with other body parts and he spent a week in Harbourview hospital in Seattle. The wreck cost him $135,000 just to fix himself.
"After I got back on my feet Mike Nass and I raced for years and it is because of Mike Nass and his F-1 that we got nine this year," said Maskall.
"Sproat Lake is one of my favourite places to race. In 2004 I was No. 2 in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico."
Pete Wilson, son of the late Irv and Bea Wilson, loves to race and took second in the F1 on Saturday.
The Sproat Lake Regatta was revived in 2014 after a more than 50-year absence in the Alberni Valley.
Saturday started out with drags/testing/licensing and a "liquid" quarter-mile. The F1 testing was next and proved to be entertaining as the boats that can get up to 120 mph zoomed by. The nostalgia fuel drag boat exhibition drew spectators as well.
Sunday featured the finals and a trophy ceremony to signal the conclusion of the regatta.
In unlimited class, Jason Gadsby of Kamloops took first and Grant Korseil second.
In unlimited outboard, Robbie West of Port Alberni took first and Jake Kimmerly second.
In the flat bottom 4 drive, Stan Kujala of Port Alberni took first and Curtis Hudie of Ladner took second.
In Jet Boat, Jason Gadsby of Kamloops took first and his dad Dan second.
In 260HP and under superstock tunnel high performance, local Robbie West took first and Aaron Froats of Nanaimo second.
In the 200HP and under pro stock tunnel high performance, Aaron Froats of Nanaimo took first and Matt Reed of Sidney second.
In F1, Mike Maskall of Chilliwack took first and Pete Wilson of Victoria second.
In F2 150, Kyle Maskall of Chilliwack took first and Brook Butler of Sidney second.
