BIG FISH: The West Coast Fishing Club hosted its ninth annual Fishing for Kids Tournament. Forty-one anglers shelled out $12,500 to compete in the three-day contest benefitting the Canucks Autism Network (CAN). In search of the biggest fish and $200,000 cash, participants flew to the luxury lodge at the northernmost tip of Haida Gwaii for the fundraising festivities. Tom Cochrane entertained fishing fans the night before at a kickoff party held at the Hotel Georgia’s Reflection Lounge. Host Bruce Langereis, the president of Delta Land Development, would reel in the derby’s largest catch – a 42.4 lb. Chinook. Honouring the event’s catch and release tradition, Langereis donated the winnings back netting $800,000.
HOPE FLOATS: Kayak for a Cure celebrated its ninth year raising funds for the fight against cancer. Kayakers of all levels hit the waters off Jericho Beach for the annual paddle in support of cancer prevention and research. Founded by Mark Starkey in honour of his grandmother, the event, which started in 2006 with a handful of paddlers, has multiplied and spawned eight similar paddles across North America, including Victoria, Portland and the Yukon. The collective efforts have raised $300,000 for both the Canadian and American Cancer Society and Vancouver’s Inspire Health.
HIGH TEE: VanDusen Botanical Gardens was the site of the first annual Garden Party and Croquet Classic fronted by Max Cunningham. Pretty young things dressed in their garden-attire best wielded mallets and tried their hand at the croquet classic game in support of Community First Foundation’s Backpack Buddies Program, a food program for hungry kids. The inaugural affair saw dapper teams of four converge on the manicured lawns for an entertaining afternoon of croquet, socializing and fundraising.
LABOUR PARTY: Unions from across B.C. celebrated Labour Day with a large rally at Swangard Stadium. Yours truly was master of ceremonies at the annual celebration of workers hosted by the B.C. Federation of Labour, Vancouver and District Labour Council and New Westminster and District Labour Council. Festivities were bittersweet as negotiations between the provincial government and teachers union stalled. B.C. Teachers’ Federation president Jim Iker was in attendance thanking other union members for their support. Local rock group Trooper headlined the picnic in the park.
