It’s shaping up to be a water-side weekend.
Sidelaunch Days returns to Collingwood on Saturday and Sunday as a tribute to the community celebrations that took place when a new ship was ready for its first launch - a sidelaunch.
The weekend lineup includes free canoe, kayak and sailing, harbour boat tours, a dockside bar, food, live music, kites, and a wakeboarding competition.
The Ontario SUP Series is also bringing Stand-Up Paddle board races to the Collingwood harbour.
Athletes in the series are racing for overall points toward a championship in Bracebridge. Technical and sprint races take place Saturday morning and early afternoon and the Blue Whale Fun Team Races will take place in the afternoon. There will be more competitive racing on Sunday morning. There will also be a free kids race at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday.
SUP Series organizer and Collingwood resident Henry Haiduk said he likes planning races for Sidelaunch days.
“It’s a great event, and it’s nostalgic,” said Haiduk.
Aaron Pilon, owner and founder of Blu Wave SUP, which is a locally-based SUP board design, manufacturing, and distribution company has signed on as one of the sponsors of the Collingwood SUP races during Sidelaunch Days. He runs lessons and tours from the Cranberry marina and the boards are built and designed in Wasaga Beach.
All the events planned for Sidelaunch Days (Aug. 11-12) are family-friendly. Events take place at the Sidelaunch Basin, along the promenade, at Millennium Park, at the Shipyards Amphitheatre and throughout downtown.
For a full list of activities, click here.
