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Annual events return to North Island waters

James Denton Memorial Fishing Derby and Alert Bay 360 return to North Island.
Paddlers digging deep as they round the first point.
Paddlers digging deep as they round the first point during last year's Alert Bay 360.

The James Denton Memorial Fishing Derby returns next weekend for its second annual outing.

The event, in memory of the teenager who grew up in Port Hardy and was murdered in 2011 while trying to break up a fight in Courtenay, will take place the weekend of August 10-11.

Limited to Area 12 only, the entry fee for the event is $20 with tickets available from Captain Hardy's Restaurant, The Cove Apparel and the Quarterdeck Marina in Port Hardy.

Cash prizes are on offer for the top catches, with two hidden weight prizes in addition to the top two spring and largest halibut caught on the weekend.

The final weigh-in for the fishing event will take place at 12 p.m.. at the Quarterdeck Marina with prizes to be awarded soon after at the Fish and Game Club.

One lap

The Alert Bay 360 kayak race returns to Cormorant Island this weekend as paddlers take to the water to race in a single lap clockwise around the island under their own steam.

Last year the organizers awarded thousands of dollars in prizes including a carved totem, masks, paddling equipment, camping equipment, BC Ferries passes and more.

A slew of prizes are on offer again this year with $500 for the top male and female finishers in a single kayak, $250 for second and $100 for third.

This year, organizers have added a $500 winner-take-all prize for the first finishers in a double kayak.

Saturday, Aug. 3, will see competitors come together for the Paddler's Barbecue at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 198.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sunday with the race starting at 11 a.m.

The awards ceremony and random prize draws will take place on the Government Dock at 3 p.m.