HMCS Malahat takes part in 124th Annual Victoria Day Parade

HMCS Malahat on parade: (L-R): Sailor 3rd Class (S3) Cooper Vasey, S3 Malcolm Rorvik, and S3 Callum Leblanc of HMCS Malahat wave to the crowds from aboard one of Malahat’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats during the 124th Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade in downtown Victoria, May 20. Photo: Lt(N) Donald Den.

Lt(N) Donald Den, 
HMCS Malahat PAO 

— 

In between the marching contingent of Sea Cadets and vehicles from the 39 Service Battalion, members of HMCS Malahat waved down at the crowds from a trailered Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), being pulled along in a truck driven by Sailor 1st Class (S1) James Kilpatrick. 

“It’s awesome being here and seeing everyone,” said S1 Kilpatrick from the driver’s seat. “The best part is that it’s a great excuse to drive nice and slow and see everyone who came out to see us!”

Members of HMCS Malahat, Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division, took part in the 124th Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade on Victoria Day in downtown Victoria, alongside members from CFB Esquimalt, Maritime Forces Pacific, the Naden Band, the 39 Service Battalion, the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s), and the Sea Cadets.

A total of 85 floats and around 3,300 participants took part in the 124th annual Victoria Day parade, filling the downtown core with music and dance. 

Riding along in the RHIB were three of HMCS Malahat’s most junior members, two of which were taking part in the parade for the first time.

“This is amazing, the crowds are great,” said Sailor 3rd Class (S3) Malcolm Rorvik, standing at the back of the RHIB, waving to some of the estimated 80,000 people that packed the parade route along Douglas Street. “It’s a beautiful day, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

S3 Callum LeBlanc couldn’t have been happier waving from the driver’s seat of the RHIB. 

“Second time is so much better. It’s sunny, it’s great – I love it,” said S3 LeBlanc, who had been in attendance for last year’s parade where it had poured rain along the route.

Walking alongside the RHIB, and making sure everyone was ship-shape, was Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) Chris Albin. 

“It’s great to be out here with everyone and see our friends from other units,” said PO2 Albin, gesturing widely to the extensive Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence. 

The parade was also an opportunity for HMCS Malahat members to spend some time together alongside other CAF elements, including Army and Air Force.

“Participating in events like the parade gets HMCS Malahat members out in the community, and is also a great opportunity for our newest members to engage with the public in such a positive atmosphere,” said Lieutenant-Commander Anne Gardam, HMCS Malahat’s Commanding Officer. “Having our junior members out there to have fun and take part in the parade alongside so many other military units is such an exciting opportunity for them.”

To put it simply, as S1 Kilpatrick did while the truck rolled through downtown, “it was truly a great Navy day.”