At four p.m. on Canada Day Monday, seven teams took to their paddles and homemade rafts to race on the wicked rapids of the great Sooke River in the annual Raft Race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sooke.
With only half their crew (reportedly the “other half” hunkered down at the ba-arr), the 007 Pirates (below) managed to steal a solid win, coming in first place.
The Island Swimmers (right, bottom), boosted with their powerful kickers, glided into second place.
Taking an easy third was WestCo (right), also looking rather pirate-esque.
Best Decorated went to the Jolly Readers (beneath WestCo).
Best Design was awarded to Shark Bait (beneath Jolly Readers).
Best Dressed went to Adrenaline — who were quickly renamed the Swimming Sombreros (bottom right) when their boat fell apart after the first corner, and they swam their way to a noble finish, pushing their boat in front of them.