Huge gathering of vintage boats coming to Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE - The Antique and Classic Boat Society has chosen Coeur d'Alene, again, for its annual meeting and international boat show which starts here next week.

More than 120 boats from throughout the U.S. and Canada are expected, and the public can view them for free along the Coeur d'Alene Resort boardwalk on Sept. 20-21, a Friday and Saturday.

This is the third time the society has picked Coeur d'Alene for the boat show and annual meeting, following 2002 and 2008.

This show will bring more than twice as many of the classic beauties to town as last summer's Coeur d'Alene Wooden Boat Show. Next week's show will include some classic fiberglass crafts.

"It will be significantly larger than the shows we do in August," said Steve Wilson, president of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce. There was no August wooden boat show this year.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber will put on its first stand-up paddleboard (SUP) races.

Wilson said the chamber sought to create an event that would complement the boat show, not compete with it.

The chamber decided the SUP races do just that. The new event will be called the "Coeur d' Sup, Races and Festival," sponsored by Tom Addis Lake City Ford.

The public can come out, view the boats, check out the food vendors, visit the beer garden, and watch the SUP races, which get underway at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Others can try out one of the SUPs in the demonstration area, between the Resort and the city dock, sponsored by Kayak Coeur d'Alene.

Several area SUP and kayak dealers will have products for demonstration.

For those who have already mastered using a stand-up paddleboard, they can enter the races.

Multiple one-mile races for individual competitors will be run along a half-mile course out from City Beach. The racers will compete against those in their age group.

Kids will compete in a half-mile race.

There also will be a four-person relay race, covering two miles.

Finally, there will be an open race for individuals (all ages) covering two miles, or four laps of the course.

The entry fee is $29 per person and children 12 and under race for free, sponsored by Figpickles Toy Emporium.

Prizes and raffle items along with T-shirts for those who enter will be awarded.

Registration is at: www.coeurdsup.eventbrite.com.

Feeling lucky? Enter to win a $2,400 "Tahoe Woody," a 12-foot-6-inch stand-up paddleboard. Purchase a $10 ticket between now and Sept. 21 at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber, or at the festival (near the Tricksters beer garden).

The drawing will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 21. (The winner doesn't have to be present at the drawing.)