Published May 15 2018
Head Lake Park in Haliburton will be host to the first ever World Soap Hockey Championships – a two-day celebration of music food and some of the weirdest hockey you will ever see or play on July 6 and 7 2018. The event will see more than 40 teams playing on eight soap-covered surfaces.
The inspiration for the event came in part from a YouTube video that was viewed more than 25 million times in 2017. In it participants tried to find a magical mix between hockey skills and the act of staying upright while playing in their bare feet on a soap-covered tarp.
“When we saw that video we thought it would be a great opportunity to attract visitors support our business community and our local charities” said event organizer John Teljeur. A portion of event proceeds and 100 per cent of the silent auction will help support the Central Food Network (area food banks) and Heat Bank Haliburton County.
Soap hockey is similar to pond hockey with a few variations. It’s a three on three format and except for helmets very little equipment is required. Even the specially made sticks similar to what’s used in floor hockey are supplied to participants.
The Ontario Ministry of Tourism Recreation and Sport believes in the championships as well. In March the event received nearly $18000 from Celebrate Ontario to enhance the entertainment portion of the event. Those funds helped organizers jump start the Haliboo MusicFest which is part of the overall event. “Haliboo” as many refer to Haliburton showcases a number of regional bands as well as over a dozen of the best tribute bands anywhere. The event will also offer a wide variety of food vendors beverage and local merchants.
Team registration and Haliboo MusicFest event tickets are now open and available at www.soaphockey.ca.
The event is presented in collaboration between the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championship Events and Amazing! Agency which will be capturing and broadcasting all the action from all angles.
Submitted