SSI – Maracaibo Olympics

Tim’s parents house in Saltspring is right next door to a club called Maracaibo and they’ve been going there since Tim was a few weeks old. They have a marina with Lasers (a small sailboat), kayaks and canoes, tennis courts, a volleyball court, miles of trails, tons of space for the kids to play in and explore and most importantly a large, warm lagoon for swimming in. For the past 37 years Maracaibo has held their Olympics; a two-day event with lots of games for young and old and tons of socialising culminating in a huge salmon BBQ for 350+ people.

The Beckmanns have been represented for the majority of these years and this year was no exception. It starts off on Saturday morning with the fishing derby. Picture 50 kids in lifejackets and their parents and guardians on a dock swinging rods and sharp little hooks everywhere, Dads cutting up bait and little people squealing with delight as they fill their respective buckets with tiny perch and shiners! Georgia and Tim won the award this year for littlest fish. It was about 2cm long. Very exciting.

Littlest fish

The next event was the running races and Georgia competed with great enthusiasm in the three-and-unders.

Warming up with Jeremy and Nick

Run Georgia!

After lunch they have the parade. It always includes a float and fancy dress for all the kids and some of the adults. Georgia and Olivia wore sailor outfits.

Passing the olympic torch

This year's float

After the parade and opening ceremony they have lots of activities for the little ones and Georgia and Karen got involved in all the games and crafts on offer including face painting.

Tim and nephew Jeremy competed in the pickle ball tournament and lost in the first round to Tim’s nephews Nick and Kyle. I guess he must have let them win.

That evening we had some friends around for drinks and more socialising.

The next day the Beckmanns and Armstrongs competed in a number of other events and Tim’s uncle Peter arrived with his wife Hilary and his two sons Ryan(12) and Alex(27). We all went over to the core(where the swimming pool is) and joined 350 other people for a wonderful evening BBQ and entertainment. 

The BBQ

This year we were celebrating the retirement of our Maracaibo managers Charles and Sally and as a special treat they had hired Nearly Neil, an awesome Neil Diamond tribute act. 

Everybody, young and old loved it and danced the night away. 

Tim and Gary

Tim and Leanne

A perfect ending to a perfect Olympics. A special thanks to Olivia who danced with Georgia for hours.

with Nearly Neil