Суперфан и местный чиновник поделились впечатлениями от съемок «Amazing Race Canada» в Сарнии

Amazing Race Canada stop in Sarnia-Lambton an up-close experience for superfan Article content Katie Purdy calls herself an Amazing Race Canada superfan. So, getting a look behind the scenes when the reality show filmed in Sarnia-Lambton May 7 was a treat. “Watching the contestants . . . watching how the production actually runs, what’s all involved, the camera people . . . it was amazing,” said Purdy, with Purdy Fisheries in Point Edward. It was one of the Sarnia-Lambton stops in the season 12 CTV series that pits contestants against obstacles as they race through destinations around the country. In the Sarnia-Lambton episode that aired Tuesday, challenges included searching the Grand Bend beach using metal detectors, assembling spring pole drilling rigs at the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs, a cricket challenge in Mike Weir Park in Sarnia, and corralling fish by hand in a tank at Purdy’s, then releasing them into the St. Clair River. “I can’t get over how much support staff and cameras and everything else that goes to run a one-hour show,” said Purdy’s husband Tim. “It’s just mind-boggling. There’s a lot of people behind the scenes.” Teams used waders in cold water while catching fish, he said, with some taking a dozen minutes to wrangle the required number, and others taking up to 45 minutes. “I can’t imagine how cold they were,” said Purdy, who features in the episode congratulating and handing successful teams envelopes with details to their next destination. Everyone was great to work with, he said. Point Edward Deputy Mayor Greg Grimes signed up as a production assistant, and helped out at the Mike Weir Park location. “Arranging lunches, making sure the crew were all taken care of,” said the retired television producer. It was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to showcase the community, he said. “Just show that we’re a great destination for people.” Keeping a lid on competition details was tough, said Katie Purdy, noting producers visited in the winter to scope out locations. “It was hard to keep it a secret, only because you’re so excited by it and you want to share it, but you can’t.” Race day, she followed from the fishery to the check-in point, at the Great Lakes monument in Sarnia’s Point Lands, to see how teams fared, she said. “Just getting to know the crew,” she said. “It was amazing.” After teams checked in, they also recorded post-race interviews in Canatara Park, she said, recalling seeing people snapping photos at the time. The Purdys held a viewing party Tuesday at the Point Edward Community Hall for family, friends and those involved with the Point Edward part of the show. “We wanted to do something nice for all the people involved,” said Tim Purdy, noting that included drivers, medics, fishery staff, and village council. They also hosted a fish fry after filming in May for the crew, including host Jon Montgomery, he said. “You kind of build a friendship,” he said. “It was such a fun day,” said Katie Purdy. Sarnia-raised hip hop artist Duane (D.O.) Gibson was a contestant on the show this season, but didn’t make it to the Sarnia leg. He and friend Maestro Fresh Wes, a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, finished in 10th place. With files from Paul Morden