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Calling all would-be boat builders – raft racing is returning to Warkworth for the Kowhai Festival and this year there are cash prizes to be won.
The Rodney Marine Raft Race will be run on Sunday October 18 with two categories for entrants – the traditional free-for-all, open to any business, group or family team; and a new community youth group challenge for 8 to 16 year olds.
The revamped race is being organised by Warkworth Scout Group. Leader David Hay says he wants to get as many local young people building rafts as possible.
“The big focus this year is on getting more youth groups involved – scouts, guides, St Johns, sports clubs and teams, schools, you name it,” he says. “They have to make a raft made of no more than three different materials – for example, bamboo, plastic and rope – and put together a crew of up to eight people.”
The first raft to finish will win $300 for their group or team, with $100 for the runners-up. There will also be prizes awarded for first, last and best dressed rafts in the open section.
As ever, the overall emphasis will be on fun, ingenuity and safety, and possibly the odd bit of good-natured sabotage between competing teams.
Entry is $20 per raft for youth groups and $50 for the open race. Entry forms are available from new event sponsor Rodney Marine, email sales@rodneymarine.co.nz. Owner Murray Rowe says he is keen to get involved in the raft race, which took a break from the Kowhai Festival in 2014.
“You’ve got to support the community – we can’t ask locals to support us if we don’t support them,” he says.
Info: Rodney Marine Raft Race, Sunday October 18, 11.30am, Warkworth Boat Ramp, entry forms sales@rodneymarine.co.nz
