Kelowna Hydrofest
The Kelowna Hydrofest (or Kelowna Regatta) is a hydroplane boat race in the American Boat Racing Association season. The race is held in August on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, British Columbia, CAN. The race is the main attraction of the summer events in British Columbia. Hydrofest is also the largest professional boat racing series in Canada.
History
The city of Kelowna and the Okanagan at large has a strong history of boat racing and water sports. This love of the lake and the lifestyle that is a part of living in the Okanagan is the pinnacle of each and every summer. The first Kelowna Regatta was held in 1906. This consisted of canoe and boat races, swimming, diving, and water oriented events. Soon competition with other towns in the Okanagan began. In time, towns as far away as Vancouver (even before a major road link) came to the annual event.
Over time this heritage of racing has evolved into several forms and is now here in the present day as Kelowna Hydrofest.