He's won three out of four races at the Oak Bay Tea Party. Can Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch claim victory again?
That's the question on everyone's minds (probably) as the Oak Bay Tea Party Mayor’s Floating Teacup Race slowly bobs towards us.
Last year, Murdoch did the unthinkable: outlasted two two-time Olympians, Dominic Seiterle and Adam Kreek, who won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of Canada's national rowing team.
Of course, Murdoch did say pre-race to Oak Bay News that he "may have to sabotage the other teacups to have a chance of winning this time," but Oak Bay News has no evidence that happened.
Unfortunately, the biggest saboteur last year was the weather, which ended the race early. So this year, Murdoch is challenging the Olympians once again.
"Given the stormy conditions that sunk everyone almost immediately last year, and the desire to celebrate all things Canadian, I have invited the Olympic rowers back for a rematch," Murdoch said. "Dominic Siertle and Adam Kreek will be returning, and I am hoping for one more Olympian to fill in the final teacup."
Sandy Germaine, Oak Bay Tea Party chair, recalls the winds being so strong last year that the fibreglass teacups, paddled by mismatched oars, only got about three feet offshore.
Murdoch said the main lesson he learned is not to try to race in howling wind, rain and large waves. "Turns out teacups are not effective open-ocean craft."
His past victories were against Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes in 2019, where Murdoch won in a spirited swimming race after Haynes upended Murdoch's teacup, a 2023 win against Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock, and last year's win against the Olympians. In 2022, he lost to Kevin Hall, president of the University of Victoria.
As per his training to prepare for a win, it involves drinking a superpower beverage – tea.
"I'm up to 3 to 4 cups of tea per day right now, but will start my taper next week."
The 2025 race takes place Sunday, June 8, at 3 p.m. at Willows Beach.
