Tony Webster from Victoria took first place at the fourth annual Alberni Canal Downwind Challenge on Saturday with a time of 54:40.
Fifteen competitors took part in the 9 km stand-up paddle board race that began at China Creek Marina at around 3:10 p.m. Racers paddled downwind into Canal Beach.
Coming in second was Matt Strand and third was Dave Billenness from Port Alberni, both right behind Webster.
“I was having a really good battle with the guys in second and third, we were pretty much neck and neck the whole way,” Webster said. “It was fun, it was actually really nice downwind all the way…there was little swells to ride and you could actually just sit back and ride them.”
karly.blats@albernivalleynews.com