Tim Collins/Contributor

Famous British writer C.S. Lewis once observed that it was impossible to get a teacup large enough to suit him.

If he had lived in the region during the Oak Bay Tea Party, he would have likely found a solution to that problem.

B次元官网网址淲e have these huge six-foot-wide fibreglass teacups, and every year the mayor of Oak Bay will go up against challengers to manoeuvre their cup around a course using these mismatched oars. The cups have no keel and, frequently, participants will find themselves in the water as their cups tip over. But itB次元官网网址檚 all in good fun,B次元官网网址� said Sandy Germain, chair of the Oak Bay Tea Party Society.

And tipping over isnB次元官网网址檛 the only problem.

B次元官网网址淚 was competing one year, and I guess the current caught me. It felt like I was halfway to Vancouver when the RCMP boat came and towed me in. It was embarrassing, but all in good fun.B次元官网网址�

In fairness, Germain said sheB次元官网网址檚 not the only past participant who found themselves floating off in the current.

B次元官网网址淚t happens occasionally, but we have the Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society rescue boat standing by, so thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing to worry about.B次元官网网址�

The challenge has seen a host of luminaries participate in years past, including a series of mayors, former MLA Ida Chong, NHL star Geoff Courtnall, author and actor Meg Tilly, and even Olympic medalist Silken Laumann.

B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 take her long to figure it out. Two test strokes, and she was gone,B次元官网网址� Germain said.

This year, Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Mayor Kevin Murdoch will be facing off against Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock.

B次元官网网址淲e have a friendly wager to raise money for setting up a clinic for prosthetics in Ukraine,B次元官网网址� Murdoch said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all for fun, of course, but weB次元官网网址檙e still hoping to raise a lot of money for this very worthwhile cause.B次元官网网址�

The money pledged for the two mayorsB次元官网网址� efforts will go to the Victoria Hand Project as part of their efforts to raise $200,000 for the Ukrainian clinic.

B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 interesting is that the organization is located right on the border between Oak Bay and Saanich so we can both claim them as our own,B次元官网网址� Murdock said.

B次元官网网址淎s an added incentive, the mayor who gets the lesser amount pledged must do his rowing while gripping the oar with a special prosthetic hand. ItB次元官网网址檚 very neat but isnB次元官网网址檛 going to make it easy.B次元官网网址�

Neither mayor, it seemed, is concerned about tipping their teacup.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not worried,B次元官网网址� said Murdock. B次元官网网址淎nyway, IB次元官网网址檓 a pretty good swimmer.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檒l have to be,B次元官网网址� added Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Murdoch.

The floating tea cup challenge takes place at Willows Bach on Sunday, June 4 at 3 p.m.

To learn more, or to donate to the prosthetic clinic, go to .

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