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PHOTOS: Beaver Buggies zip to finish line in classic Chilliwack Scout races

No prizes, but heaps of fun at annual races for Chilliwack Beavers
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Thomas Hunter (left) raises his vehicle in victory as Liam Slaneff looks on while competing in the Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Kids from 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers took part in the event. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

There was only one collision at a recent buggy race event in Chilliwack this week, but all vehicles were able to get back on the track unscathed and race again.

The 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers with Scouts Canada gathered Tuesday (April 6) for the group’s annual Beaver Buggy races. It’s a friendly competition where wooden vehicles – topped with a wooden beaver cut-out embellished with things like googly eyes, stickers and paint – are released from the top of a track and zip down to see which can cross the finish line first.

The Beaver Buggies are kits handed out by Scouts Canada to kids aged five to seven and who are part of the program. The Beavers assemble their buggies and then decorate them for the big race.

Beaver Buggies are placed on the race track at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Beaver Buggies are placed on the race track at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Brent Hunter, Beaver Scout, waves a checkered flag as he launches three Beaver Buggies during a race at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Brent Hunter, Beaver Scout, waves a checkered flag as he launches three Beaver Buggies during a race at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Beaver Buggies race down the track at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Beaver Buggies race down the track at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

On Tuesday, about a dozen kids gathered at Gwynne Vaughan Park to put their Beaver Buggies to the test.

One child had affixed a toilet paper roll and sparkly gold ribbon to make his vehicle go faster. Another buggy had the superpowers only achieved by adhering several Spider-Man stickers to the beaver, while another vehicle had so much paint on it that the Scouters were sure it had a very slim weighted advantage.

Kids with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers watch as vehicles are lined up for the Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Kids with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers watch as vehicles are lined up for the Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

A child holds his Beaver Buggy during race day at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A child holds his Beaver Buggy during race day at Gwynne Vaughan on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Kids with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers watch the Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Kids with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers watch the Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Each child got to race their Beaver Buggy about five times, and at the end of nearly every race, squeals of joy could be heard and fists were seen raised in the air.

There were no prizes to be handed out, the races were purely for fun, said Beaver Scouter Brent Hunter.

Last fall, the same group of Beavers donated hundreds of dollars worth of pyjamas to a local charity.

RELATED: Chilliwack Beavers donate nearly $500 worth of pyjamas to Cyrus Centre

Those interested in joining, can email Hunter at 6thchilliwackscouts@gmail.com.

From left, Gabriel Kushniruk, Logan Holitzki and Griffin Kealy with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers scoot to get back in line to race their Beaver Buggies again at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
From left, Gabriel Kushniruk, Logan Holitzki and Griffin Kealy with 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers scoot to get back in line to race their Beaver Buggies again at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

David Switzer admires his Beaver Buggy on race day at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
David Switzer admires his Beaver Buggy on race day at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Brent Hunter, Beaver Scouter, does a chant with the 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers before their Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Brent Hunter, Beaver Scouter, does a chant with the 6th Chilliwack Beavers and 26th Unsworth Beavers before their Beaver Buggy races at Gwynne Vaughan Park on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)


 

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Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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