Recently Jim Sherman and I shared some old Island photos from both of our families’ long Vashon history on Facebook.From that sharing we created a Facebook group called “Old Vashon Stories and Photos.” In a few short weeks it has grown like wildfire with more than 535 photos and 1,020 group members and counting.

Looking at the photos and reading people’s stories and comments got me thinking about Vashon traditions and, with the Fourth of July approaching, the traditional around-the-Island hydroplane race.

While many Island residents may view this tradition as silly and annoying, they might not know the history behind it.

I was lucky to grow up on the water on Quartermaster Drive. In our neighborhood lived Warren Bibbins and Roger Stanley, whose families were some of Vashon’s early pioneers. In the late 1950s, these two “sons of pioneers” started the hydroplane tradition when, one New Year’s Day, they decided to take their hydros on a run around the Island.

This was the beginning of the traditional around-the-Island race. They later changed the date of the run to July 4, and other Islanders from longtime Vashon families — Paul Stoddard, Roger Compton and Larry Fuller — joined them, and later younger Islanders Chris VanBuskirk, Drew Carr, Todd Gateman and Jim Sherman joined in.

In the 1960s and 1970s, all the kids in my neighborhood anxiously awaited the Fourth of July and the early morning hydroplanes. Many of us still go down to the beach every Fourth of July and have extended the tradition to our kids.

Through the years, Paul Stoddard kept time for the hydros and became known as the “official timer” for the event. Stoddard was a great sight every year with his Mickey Mouse watch. Last year after his passing, his daughter Jenny took over for him, but she said “only for one year.” This year, I am honored to have Jenny pass the torch to me. I will be the “official timer.” I understand there are drivers retiring this year and new drivers ready to race.

The reason these around-the-Island races begin at the crack of dawn is that the water is calmest in the early hours. A hydroplane rides on a cushion of air between the water and the bottom of the boat. They need smooth water to ride safely. Early morning is the only time of day when there are no other boats out and the water is the calmest.

So if you hear the mosquito-like buzzing of the hydros on the Fourth of July — even if you are annoyed by it — as you roll over to go back to sleep, think about the connection they have to the pioneers of Vashon and their sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons who were the building blocks of the Vashon we enjoy today.

Everyone is welcome to share their stories and photos on the “Old Vashon Stories and Photos” Facebook page from the recent past to pioneer days. Just log on and share!

— Brian Brenno is an Island artist.