The annual 麻豆社国产Wind Festival may be billed as three jam-packed days of arts, live music and fun on the water, but the festival 鈥� now in its second year 鈥� actually grew around the 麻豆社国产Open Annual Regatta (SOAR).
鈥淲e needed an angle,鈥� said Michelle Neilson, vice-chair of the 麻豆社国产Arts Council and the festival organizer. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to do just another arts festival, and we were also really aware that wind and water sports were underestimated here鈥� and we are actually the place for wind and water sports, because we have this beautiful waterfront.鈥�
So the arts council partnered with the 麻豆社国产Yacht Club and other local organizations and enthusiasts to map out a true celebration of 麻豆社国产wind and water sport culture, while also highlighting the area鈥檚 vibrant arts and music scenes.
For its second edition 鈥� to be held July 24, 25 and 26 鈥� The 麻豆社国产Wind Festival has ramped up the arts and entertainment with tons of live music, roving buskers, art exhibits and demos, plus movies in the park, wandering pirates and more. However, wind and water sports are still a major component of the event, said Neilson.
鈥淭his year will be the 36th edition of SOAR, which is a three-day sailing race that attracts both intermediate and advanced sailors,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t kicks off on Friday (July 24) with the In Flow Race starting in Porteau Cove and finishing at Nexen Beach. And as we are well known for our winds, it makes for pretty exciting and intense action at the finish line.鈥�
SOAR continues on the Saturday with the main Distance Race event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 quite something to see for people who haven鈥檛 seen a regatta before,鈥� Neilson said. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 like in a car race, where everyone is stopped on a line with their engines revving. Sailboats have to be in motion, so they all go around in a circle and when the starting gun goes off鈥� off they go. But to see more than 30 boats going in unison, it does look like organized chaos. It鈥檚 very exciting.鈥�
As with the In Flow Race, Nexen Beach is your best viewing location for the event.
The final event of SOAR is the Outflow Race, or The Hangover Race, as it has become more commonly known, where the boats head back to Vancouver.
But you don鈥檛 have to just be a spectator, according to Neilson.
鈥淥n Saturday in the morning we will be having paddle demos,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e scheduled the demos for the morning, because it is calmer, and with paddling you don鈥檛 want too much wind.鈥�
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., anyone can try out a variety of kayaks, paddleboards and other toys, or sign up to try river kayaking in the 麻豆社国产Estuary.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to put your toe in the water and try things out,鈥� she said.
Sunday features kiteboarding action, with a big air event for experienced boarders and a Let鈥檚 Go Fly a Kite demo for those just starting out in the sport.
鈥淭here鈥檚 an opportunity for people to try out some land kites and trainer kites to help them make the transition from land to the water,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd while you are trying out the kites, you can also look out on Howe Sound and watch kiteboarders on the ocean getting big air.鈥�
In addition to the water and wind sports, Neilson said there would also be some guided walks happening at the festival.
鈥淥n the lighter end of sports, we have free walking tours that depart from the new First Nations Canoe Shelter located at the Blind Channel or the 麻豆社国产Adventure Centre,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he adventure centre route will have a scavenger hunt, so it will be something fun to do with the kids before coming downtown for the rest of the festival. On the conservationist side we have the Blind Channel walks where volunteers where guides will be out, offering tours of the estuary.鈥�
For more info on the festival and a full schedule of events, go to squamishwindfestival.com.
