Rub-dub-dub, Travis Mykytyn is goin’ back in the tub.
Despite being one of the youngest racers in the field, Mykytyn is looking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish at the annual bathtub races July 1 at Pither’s Point.
It was his first year of racing—but certainly not his last.
“We’re working on making [our tub] better,” said the 12-year-old Rainy River native. “We’re going to borrow a new engine from Pinewood Sports.”
He’ll have some stiff—and older—competition. Defending champ Rene Boivin is making the trip from Burlington, Ont. to defend her title. She’ll be joined by Jim Grimard and Chuck Arpin Jr., who finished second and third, respectively, a year ago.
“Travis did very well last year,” said race organizer Al Boivin. “There should be some good finishes this year.”
The figure-eight shaped race course is popular fixture in the Fun in the Sun celebrations.
“We draw pretty good crowds,” said Boivin. “It can be pretty hilarious to race at times, just watching those 9.9 horsepower engines cruise at 25-30 miles an hour.
“The fact that they’re all homemade makes it all the better,” Boivin added. “That’s the tradition here; you build it and test it and take out on Canada Day weekend.”
“I have a lot of fun in them,” added Mykytyn.
About eight tubs will compete starting at 3:30 p.m. near the government dock. Boivin said the rise in lake levels won’t affect the races.
“We usually have some beach to start on. We’re just going to have to stay further away from the government dock,” he reasoned.
Official registration begins at 3 p.m. and costs $20 to enter.
Anyone with any questions about the rules and regulations of bathtub racing, or just wondering how to get involved, can contact Boivin at 274-6381 (after 6 p.m.)
Swim reborn
Meanwhile, the Fort Frances Aquanauts are keen on reviving a Canada Day tradition.
For the first time in over 20 years, Fun in the Sun will include a “mile swim” starting at 1 p.m. at the government dock.
“We’re just trying to get it up and running. Just to show the town the level of swimming we have here,” said Aquanauts president John Dutton, who is sponsoring the event along with La Place Rendez-Vous.
As of Monday, 17 swimmers had signed up, with a maximum of 40 swimmers being taken. There are four age categories—under 13, 14-19, 20-29, and 30-plus, with a trophy to be awarded to a male and female in each division.
“It’s really just providing another fun activity in the day,” noted Dutton.
Those under 13 must provide their own spotter on the lake.
Of the swimmers who are on board, a few are in the 30-plus category—and also are well-known faces around town. “We’ll leave that as a surprise,” said Dutton.
Registration costs $10 and starts at noon Monday. For more information or to sign up, call Dutton at 274-9603, or visit the Rendez-Vous or Fort Frances Times office.
