Echo Lake Plywood Regatta and Waterfest returns for 3rd straight year

The Plywood Regatta and Waterfest took place at Echo Lake on Saturday. (Damian Smith / CTV News)

For the third year in a row, the Plywood Regatta and Waterfest took place at Echo Lake on Saturday.

“What’s really important about the Plywood Regatta is it’s about team spirit. It’s about businesses or organizations coming together to support a single cause,” said John Maczko, the director of operations with Amphibious Response Support Unit One (ARSU1).

The message behind the event is not only for team building, but safety in water sports in all representations.

Money raised from many different companies attending is donated to ARSU1, who monitor four lakes in the Fort Qu’Appelle area.

• Download the CTV News app for local breaking news alerts on your smartphone

“Unfortunately, every year we do respond to a number of incidents in our case, in particular, because we are what is known as the boots on the ground team,” Maczko said. “We try to capture safety situations in their infancy before they become more critical or before they become known.”

ARSU1 does not only look to prioritize the physical side of safety, but the drinks that can be a detriment to those out on the water. With alcohol being a big component in water sport accidents, they’re trying to promote beer without the toxin.

Maczko was also the lead of creating the challenges for the teams and had to come up with a higher quantity with a growing event.

In the first year of the regatta, four teams participated. There were nine last year, and this year saw 14. Organizers say that 25 teams would be the maximum, due to capacity requirements.