Earlier this month, The Point posed the question: Who would win a battle between a mermaid and a pirate?  While we may still not have conclusive answers, this past Thursday’s Water Wars event provided excellent ground for some solid research into this striking question, with its wide array of swashbuckling events!

Photo: Ian Schultz

Water Wars, held at the UBC Aquatic Centre on Thursday November 17th, was composed of five splash-tastic events. Whether participants were “walking the plank” on the inflatable obstacle course, battling mermaids in a water b-ball game or getting creative in the “lost lagoon” relay, this year’s challenges, many of them new to Water Wars, were well received by this year’s participants, who had particular praise for the obstacle course.

Photo: Ian Schultz

Water Wars was the final event of the term planned by UBC REC’s Events Crew 3. “Organizing Water Wars was a lot of fun,” said Director Alex Ristea, adding that he thought the event was “hilarious” and a great way to end off the term. Caitlin Farquharson, the registration coordinator for the event, was very impressed with the response from students. “We filled up entirely and even had a wait list,” Farquharson explains, adding that the crew organized the event in just under a month. “Planning this event was not stressful,” explains Ally Stocks, an EC3 AD, who thought the event was really “random and hilarious,” adding that her favourite challenge was the “Lost Lagoon” relay.

Water Wars was held in three heats, at 6, 8 and 10 pm, with a finals round finishing the night off at 12 am. CWD and Divisional Teams squared off in the water to splash their way to the top. After hours of intense competition, champions were crowned. Congrats to the The Sexy Squids, the CWD champions and to the Beta Gams 2, who came out on top as Divisional champions!

Photo: Ian Schultz

With its fun events, fierce competition, endless supply of Fuze juice and constant parade of impressive physiques, Water Wars was an excellent way to end off the term for EC3 and a great way for students to break out of their studying-mode and have some fun! Be sure to check out public swim times at the UBC Aquatic Centre and have a go at creating your own “Water Wars!”

Check out more photos from Water Wars 2011!