Pirates plundering for Scotiabank Cup

LEWISPORTE -

For the fourth straight year, the South and Central, and Central Northeast Health Foundations will come together in Lewisporte for one of central Newfoundland's most anticipated summer events.

The Annual Health Foundations Regatta will go ahead on July 9-10 in Lewisporte. Over the last three years, the event has raised approximately $97,000 for the foundations.

Like previous years, July's event will have a Caribbean theme, which participants dawning the skull and crossbones, and setting up their pirate planks.

Dr. Jody Woolfrey has won the Scotiabank Cup - the award for highest total raised by a team - in the last two events, raising $3,322 and $4,686 in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

He anticipates this year's event will be just as successful as the three prior.

"Some of it is the Bay of Exploits and the Lewisporte Yacht Club, which is a great facility, and there are members from all over central Newfoundland," he said. "It's probably one of the key social events for the summer at the yacht club."

The event is divided into sailboat and powerboat legs, with various challenges of boating skill set up at committee stations. At Dr. Woolfrey's, participants are tested on their knot tying before handed a card for the Regatta's poker run.

"We usually have a few water balloons hidden away and when they're not expecting, we throw some water at them and have a bit of fun."

And there certainly is fun to be had. While the Regatta serves an incredible need for both health foundations, it's also a chance for people to lift their anchors, get together and have a good time.

"It's a wonderful thing. It brings the east and the west foundations together and boaters from all over central Newfoundland. There's a social on Friday evening and then the event starts early Saturday morning, and we conclude with supper at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday with the presentation of the awards."

Registration is a minimum of $150 and there will be a new scavenger hunt event featured this year. For more information, call (709) 292-2393, (709) 256-5742, e-mail mwmoss@nl.rogers.com or visit the foundations websites at http://www.cnehf.nlca and http://www.schf.nl.ca.