THE GREAT RC OCEAN RACE RETURNS April 20, 2024!
This is “the most challenging radio-controlled sailboat race on the planet.™” The 3 nautical mile circumnavigation of beautiful Protection Island in Nanaimo B.C. takes the racers from the start at the world famous Dinghy Dock Pub, out past the log booms into the wild open Salish Sea where they face currents, waves and wind shifts. There are rocks to dodge, tide lines to miss all the while trying to stay ahead, or catch some of the fastest and toughest RC boats and skippers anywhere. At the top end of the island is the “great equalizer”, the gap between Protection Island and Newcastle Island marine park. There anything can happen as the wind will surely change and the currents can help or hurt the racers greatly. Getting there first is often a disadvantage, as boats can be stalled in strong current while the entire fleet passes.
Sometimes we go clockwise around the island, sometimes counter-clockwise. Make sure you attend the skippers meeting so you can find out!
The race is open to all radio-controlled sailboats, and is quickly becoming a proving ground for new designs and one-design boats as well. There are usually two divisions, one for RC Lasers and one “run what you brung” open class division. Bring 5 boats (eg. IOM’s, DF 95’s) and you can have your own division! Or be the first to sail a DF 65 around the island!
Mark your calendar and make this the one race you just have to try. The friendliness and comradery of the racers and hosts make this a race that you will get hooked on.
Want to know what you’re up against?
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Tim Daniel dash34@hotmail.com
or
Bob and Angie Serenius serenius@telus.net
Latest News
Results for 2024:
1st – Bob (#03) and winner of both the Graham Millington Mug and the Mini Barn Door!
2nd – John (#55)
3rd – Tom (#01)
Excellent race conditions with a beat south to Gallows in building breeze, followed by a downwind to the gap with waves of breeze coming down. The gap between Protection and Newcastle had little wind and going the right way was essential. Bob and John sailed over to the point on the south side of Newcastle and picked up the breeze. Tom passed Tim on the Protection Island side, and managed to keep moving well enough to get the breeze first to take 3rd place. Keith won the elapsed time trophy.
Results for 2022:
Awards Ceremony Photos (thanks to Art Smith!)
RC Laser
1st – Paul (the Paullinator) Kantor (#36)
2nd – Ken Holland (#93)
3rd – Doug Compton (#04)
4th – Tom (You will be assimilated) Barchyn’s RC Laser Bot
Open Class (and winner of the Mini Barn Door and Elapsed Time Trophy)
Peter Grimm – 2 m
Past Winners
1. The Graham Millington Mug (First – RC Laser Division)
Bob, Tim and Ken have all won the RC Laser Division twice – who will be the first to win it three times?
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022 | The Paulinator (Paul Kantor) |
| 2021 | No Race (Covid) |
| 2020 | No Race (Covid) |
| 2019 | Ken Holland |
| 2018 | Angie Serenius |
| 2017 | John Vallis |
| 2016 | Bob Serenius |
| 2015 | Tim Daniel (possible RC Laser World Record – 1:25:20) |
| 2014 | Bob Serenius |
| 2013 | Colin MacGruer |
| 2012 | Paul Kantor |
| 2011 | Tim Daniel |
| 2010 | Arni Hensen |
| 2009 | Ken Holland |
2. The Mini Barn Door Trophy (First To Finish)
| Year | Winner | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Peter Grimm | 2.0 M |
| 2021 | No Race (Covid) | |
| 2020 | No Race (Covid) | |
| 2019 | Ken Holland | RC Laser |
| 2018 | Angie Serenius | RC Laser |
| 2017 | Steve Kibble | IOM |
| 2016 | Martin Herbert | IOM |
| 2015 | Dale Chase | Wing Cat |
| 2014 | Tom Stevens | Marblehead |
| 2013 | Graham Herbert | Fang |
| 2012 | Graham Herbert | Fang |
| 2011 | Ole Anderson | Caliente |
| 2010 | Tom Stevens | Marblehead |
| 2009 | Tom Stevens | Marblehead |
PAST RESULTS
Race Results 2019
RC Laser
Ken Holland
Tim Daniel
Bob Serenius
Don McQueen
Bill Jones – DNF
Ron Campsall – DNF
Colin MacGruer – DNF
Tom Barchyn – DNF
Open Class
Allan Gardner – DNF
RACE RESULTS 2014
OPEN CLASS
1ST-TOM STEVENS—-MARBLEHEAD…………1.10.10
2ND-ROGER KIBBLE–I.O.M……………………..1.16.
RC LASER CLASS
1st – Bob Serenius………………1.27.50
2nd – Colin MacGruer……..1.28.15
3rd – Tim Daniel……………………1.29.20
4th – Angela Serenius………1.31.20
5th – Ken Holland………………1.32.50
6th – John Vallis………………….1.33.15
7th – Doug Compton…………1.33.45
8th – Ken Keith………………………1.52.00
2013 RESULTS
OPEN CLASS
1ST-GRAHAM HERBERT…………….FANG WING CAT……………………..1.02:54
2ND-TOM STEVENS ………………..MARBLEHEAD………………………….1.08:13
3RD-ROGER KIBBLE-………………..IOM……………………………………….1.10:33
4TH-STEVE KIBBLE………………….IOM………………………………………..1.11:03
5TH-ANDY SLOW-……………………IOM………………………………………..1.24:06
6TH DOUG STEPHENS………………MARBLEHEAD……………………………2.12:00
RC LASER DIVISION
1ST-COLIN MCGRUER-………………58………………………………………….1.30:30
2ND-JOHN VALLIS……………………55………………………………………….1.32:20
3RD-ANGELA SERENIUS…………….90………………………………………….1.36:24
4TH-BOB SERENIUS………………….03………………………………………….1.36:40
5TH-PAUL KANTOR…………………..36…………………………………………..1.38:55
6TH-ARNE HENSEN…………………..68…………………………………………..1.41:35
7TH-DOUG COMPTON……………….04……………………………………………1.44:00
8TH-WAYNE GORRIE………………..35……………………………………………1.45.40
9TH-KEN KEITH……………………….34……………………………………………1.45:55
10TH-KEN SERENIUS…………………41……………………………………………1.59:45
2012 RESULTS
DIV-1
1ST-HERBERT/CHASE WING-SAIL CAT ;49.13
2ND-TOM STEVENS MARBLEHEAD 1:05.13
3RD-MARTIN HERBERT FIT 60″ 1:05.45
DIV-2 RC LASER ONE-DESIGN
1ST-PAUL KANTOR- 1:28.44
2ND-KEN HOLLAND- 1:29.44
3RD-BOB SERENIUS 1:30.02
4TH-ANGELA SERENIUS 1:30.17
5TH-TIM DANIEL 1:36.32
6TH-KEN KEITH- 1:43.36
7TH-DOUG COMPTON- 1:48.26
8TH-WAYNE GORRIE- 1:54.52
9TH-GRAHAM ELLIS- 1:55.16
10TH AARON PAUGH- 2:50.10
11TH-LENA S 2:58.04
12TH ARNE HENSEN DNF
2011 RESULTS
DIV-1
1ST-OLE ANDERSON IOM 1:15.48
DIV-2-RC LASER
1ST- CAN 80- TIM DANIEL
2010 RESULTS
DIV-1
1ST- TOM STEVENS MARBLEHEAD
DIV-2 RC LASER
1ST- CAN 68- ARNE HENSEN
2009 RESULTS
DIV-1
1ST -TOM STEVENS MARBLEHEAD
DIV-2 RC LASER
1ST-CAN 93- KEN HOLLAND