Rubbout

RUBBOUT is a volunteer organization based in Vancouver that hosts an annual social and play weekend for men who love men in rubber and fetish gear. It is one of the longest consecutively running men's fetish events in North America; the organization has hosted an annual party weekend for men since 1992. Rubbout is traditionally held the first weekend of April.

Bill “Northwind” Houghton founded Rubbout in 1992 as a low-key annual rubber fetish event. Starting on Vancouver Island, then as a houseparty in Vancouver, over the years Rubbout evolved into a weekend production with a Friday meet & greet, a Saturday social/play party, and a Sunday brunch. The last Rubbout organized by Bill was Rubbout 12 in 2003.

In 2004, the Rubbout social moved from Bill’s home to a warehouse party. Rubbout 13, produced by Mitch Kenyon & Friends, added latex body painting demos and other play at PumpJack. Other years have included many different varieties of parties, demos and attendees. Mitch was instrumental in growing Rubbout to the familiar format that we are used to building around the event today.

Fast forward to 2011. After Rubbout 20 concluded, Mitch stood down and handed the production reins over to Reid Dalgleish, Doug Mitchell, and Rob Pont. It has since evolved into a significant fetish event that is recognized both by the local gay community as well as regional, national and international rubber and fetish communities. The event has slowly grown in both size, reach, and recognizability. Doug stepped down after Rubbout 21 and Reid and Rob continued on as a dynamic duo.

Rubbout 25 was developed as a silver anniversary celebration of all things Rubbout March 31-April 3, 2016. Comprising 12 events in four days, there were journeys down memory lane, many unique additional events, and lots for rubbermen and gearfiends of all stripes to enjoy. It was a huge success and all of Vancouver's gay kink community embraced it. After Rubbout 25, Reid and Rob stepped down, and Andy Cook and the LuvPack took the reins of Rubbout heading into the future. With the energy and joy generated with the 25th anniversary, the new organizers pulled off a stellar Rubbout 26 in 2017 and Rubbout 27 in 2018.

Tragically, Andy Cook passed away on Sept 5, 2018. A new committee has formed which hopes to continue the legacy of Andy's work with Rubbout 28: Illuminate which will take place April 5-7, 2019.

The execution of Rubbout every year is done entirely by a group of volunteers who do it for the enjoyment of rubber, playing and socializing in gear, and the men who love gear and fetish. Rubbout is supported by its volunteer base, sponsors, and local businesses who form the backbone of the organization. Rubbout succeeds each year due to the energy and excitement of the people who help to make it a success.

You can check out what the Rubbout guys are doing by checking out their website at www.rubbout.com