4 News WWW.PGCITIZEN.CA | TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 201 1 Four weeks 'til floatie launch Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca Like castaway bath toys on steroids, James Matosevic said every participant in the Nechako River Float is adrift on their own initiative. There is no organization and no planning involved, other than an idea three years ago by his friend Cody Gray. Another buddy, Richard Appiah, joined them in some Facebook postings and word-of-mouth and now the third edition is setting sail on July 23. “I really like how it’s grassroots,” Matosevic said. “We don’t have a goal at all [for attendance]. It never ends up as one big event. Everyone goes out on their own, people are pushing off whenever. It’s just something for you to do with lots of others around, in a place we like to be.” There are two suggested launch points - Wilkins Park in Miworth and Nechako Flats on the north side of the Foothills Bridge. The idea of bobbing along down the Nechako is easy to appreciate, said Prince George Jet Boat Association president Shannon Studney, but people must take precautions. “We see people out there doing some unbelievably dangerous things,” he said. “Even if we didn’t have the big event, we expect to see a lot of people floating on the Nechako whenever the weather is nice.” The concerns for the Jet Boat Association - a partner agency with other safety organizations -are those who wear no life jacket, CITIZEN PHOTO BY DAVID MAH The third annual Nechako River float gets ready to set sail in late July. Last year, hundreds of people took to the water to cool down. those who do not ensure they are visible to faster boaters, those who litter the water, and those who consume drugs and alcohol. Although the Nechako is unique in B.C. for its size and gentle slope right through a major city, Stud-ney cautioned that “it is one of the trickier channels in the province.” Features like sandbars and shoreline profile can change with little notice, and there is always the danger of logs and debris below the surface. “Drivers will be a primary concern this year, but hand in hand with water safety,” said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. “I think we were quite successful last year,” Douglass said. “We will take any and all information we receive about the event in advance, and develop a strategy probably similar to last year’s, in making sure this is a safe event.” Matosevic said all the advise from authorities should be heeded. “I worked at the swimming pool for several years so I am definitely one to emphasize the need for life jackets, definitely not to drink inappropriately, and be conscientious always,” he said. “Everybody is out there at their own risk. We just ask people to remember there are families out there, there are underage people, there are others to consider. What we don’t want is the river to get shut down to people who like to float.” The one aspect of the day that is organized, Matosevic added, was an official after-party at The Generator. “We do not encourage drinking out on the river at all,” he said. “We encourage people coming out and having that good time on the river, and save the partying for later.” Matosevic has ordered himself a showpiece floatation devise this year and he will have water guns primed for some friendly fire between friends. He hopes to get at least two full runs in, from Wilkins Park to Cottonwood Island Park, and pointed anyone with any interest in the event to their Facebook page titled Prince George’s 3rd Annual HUGE River Float where people are posting thoughts and photos. I CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN JUMPING BEAN — Chloe English-Tolmie, 5, a kindergarten student at Central Fort George traditional school competes in the sack race during the schools Sports Day Thursday.