COMOX, B.C. – Bill Brett rang the bell at Comox Marina Park to signal victory for his team in the 2018 Royal LePage Comox Valley Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Race.
Brett was a part of the winning Biblio Taco team. He served as the team’s lead canoeist, and the team competed in the open men’s category.
“We took the long course (canoe) and went right around. When you have a lead, you don’t want to take a chance with a shortcut and get hung up,” Brett said.
Biblio Taco held the lead for the majority of the race.
Biblio Taco’s roster also included Stephen Lamon (cross-country ski), Carl Tessman (kayak), Ryan Mader (stern canoeist), Scott Commandeur (1st leg runner) Graham Cocksedge (2nd leg runner), Eric Rush (uphill/downhill skier), Don Gilmore (road cyclist) and Carter Woods (mountain biker).
Greg MacDonald put the team together at Biblio Taco, but was unable to compete in the race.
Brett had previously won the race with the Island Honda Bonzai team, and said a few of the Bonzai members joined for this year’s event, teaming up with Greg MacDonald from the Cumberland taco shop to form a new squad.
“A big thank you to Greg MacDonald and Biblio’s Cumberland Tacos,” Brett said.
Ski and Surf Shop Tsunami (Open Men) came in second place overall, with Strathcona Park Lodge rounding out the top three overall.
Strathcona Park Lodge finished first in the Masters Men category.
The rest of the top ten came out as follows:
• Tsolum Mobile (Open Men): 4th place
• Cona Hostel (Open Men): 5th place
• Fleet Diving Unit (Open Men): 6th place
• Comox Valley Glassholes (Open Men): 7th place
• All Mixed Up!!! (Masters Mixed): 8th place
• Strathcona Domination (Open Mixed): 9th place
• Downtown Dental (Open Mixed): 10th place
The 2018 event saw a strong turnout, with 117 teams registered.
“One didn’t show, but that’s up from last year and up the year before,” said race chairman Rick Gibson.
“Before we had the two no-snow years at the mountain, we were close to 200 teams and we had two lousy years, which kind of sucked a lot of participation out of the event, but it’s been growing. The youth category is growing, and it’s nice to see younger people in the event. Not just kids, but younger adults.”
Gibson said he anticipates more growth next year.
“You look at the smiles and you look at everybody around, it’s a pretty good day.”
Gibson said initial, unofficial results are expected to be posted tonight on the event’s website.
