Chesterfield Inlet (Sep 13/06) - Grade 12 student Wilson Tanuyak became the first champion to successfully defend his title at the fifth annual Cardboard Kayak Race in Chesterfield Inlet earlier this month.

Victor Sammurtok school teacher Glen Brocklebank spearheaded the initial event in 2002.

Brocklebank said at the time, he figured the race would be a one-time deal.

He said he never, in his wildest dreams, foresaw the race becoming such a huge event in the hamlet.

"The community has grown to love the race and that's just awesome to see," said Brocklebank.

"This year we had our biggest crowd ever come out to Police Lake to watch the race.

"We had a wind delay the first day we were supposed to hold the race, and we actually had a bunch of people come into the school to ask if it was still on.

"So, that kind of illustrates how much the community looks forward to the race every year now."

Brocklebank said as the summer winds down and the day of the big race draws near, people in the community start saving good boxes for the students to use in the event.

He said 11 boats left the starting line this year, with teachers and students alike paddling like mad.

"It was special to see Wilson become the first student to defend his title, but I have to be honest and say the best boat in the race came in second.

"That kayak was paddled by Thor Ittinuar and it was the first year his group was in the race because they were all in Grade 6 last year.

"Their design and construction were top-notch.

"The difference in the race was the power of a Grade 12 student over the power of a Grade 7 student in paddling the boat."

Brocklebank said although this was the first year every class at the school built a kayak, students in Grade 7 to 12 were still the only ones allowed to race in the event.

He said while the students excelled again this year, the teachers were a different story.

"Grade 4 and 5 built two boats and both their teachers sank.

"Our principal (Bruce Penny) sank on the starting line before the race even started, so it's definitely back to the drawing board for them."