Despite a rough weather forecast that led a few likely participants to stay off the water, last weekend’s Performance Boat Club of Canada Sarnia Summer Splash in Ontario raised $24,000 for Noelle’s Gift and St. Joseph’s Hospice of Sarnia, the event’s local benefitting charities. The run, which returned from a one-year hiatus, attracted a combination of catamarans, V-bottom sportboats and center consoles from Canada, as well as a few entries from the United States.

Scrubbed in 2017, the Sarnia Summer Splash returned last weekend (click image to enlarge). Photos courtesy/copyright Carl McBride.

“We have faced a few challenges with our run in Sarnia,” said Meghan Brousseau, the president of the club. “Last year, the ramps were closed at our host marina so we could not launch and we were forced to cancel. This year we had a rotten weather forecast along with some pretty intense (event) competition south of the border. Yet once again, our incredible members raised a truly spectacular amount of money for two worthwhile causes.”

“We had a few boating friends from the U.S. join us, and their support was very much appreciated, and to that end I want to send a special thank-you to Burton and Yvette Kirsten, Jeff and Cathy Lewis and John and Julie Tokar,” she continued. “And of course, a huge thank-you goes out to all our other members who came out to support the run.”

The event’s $5,000 best hand award went to win Brent Vernon, who runs a 36-foot Nor-Tech catamaran. John Tokar, who didn’t bring his Outerlimits SV 43 sportboat, had the second-best hand and Ed Poirier, who did run his 50-foot Nor-Tech cat, took third place.

For more images from the 2018 Sarnia Summer Splash, check out the slideshow above.

Owned by Dave and Dawn Scott Hardware, Concord Hardware was the event’s title sponsor. Said Brousseau, “Thanks to their incredible generosity, the participants in Sarnia this weekend were treated to a weekend of lots of great food—and lots of fun.”

The next event on the PBCC roster is the Lake Simcoe Surge, Aug. 24-25. Those interested in participating can register by clicking here.

Canadian Brent Vernon, who owns a 36-foot Nor-Tech catamaran, took the $5,000 best hand honor.

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