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After more than 25 years afloat (more or less), Stillwater’s handmade raft race hit the water again on Sunday, March 17.
Given the date, a St Patrick’s Day theme was the obvious choice, with rafters and supporters turning out in green – and in one case potato sack – costumes.
The event, run by community volunteers, features a race from Stillwater Boat Ramp around a course on the Weiti River. All rafts are made by the competitors from recycled materials and with varying degrees of skill. There are often water tightness issues that affect the rafts’ seaworthiness, adding to the enjoyment for spectators. Water gun fights are encouraged.
This year, five rafts were entered: The Crazy Lepas, Still Going and Potato Farm, as well as the O Mahurangi Penlink team raft and Next Level, entered by Erosion Control from Dairy Flat.
Alongside the main race were pie and pint, water balloon and gumboot throwing competitions and a rubber duck race. A few paddleboarders also raced around the course.
While most rafters only gave their chances of staying afloat 50 percent, O Mahurangi Penlink were confident they had raft construction nailed. Their team had spent around six hours assembling the raft using recycled materials from the construction site. The raft was donated to Stillwater Boat Club for kids to play on.
Others relied on the luck of the Irish, using materials such as empty drums and wood.
The O Mahurangi team were clear winners while second was a close thing with Potato Farm taking it just ahead of Still Going.
Erosion Control’s raft utilised six 1000-litre water containers. The team’s dire predictions that it was unlikely to float well proved correct and the team came in last but were clearly having fun.
The event, including the O Mahurangi Penlink team’s sausage sizzle, raised $1500 for the Stillwater community pantry.
