Scouts: Zone Raft Race 2010

Guys

Congratulations to Ngati Toa for winning back the Kapiti-Coastal Raft Race Crown.

Best turnout in years with nine rafts from Levin, Otaki, Raumati, Mana (Ngati Toa) and Titahi Bay. Must have been over 60 Scouts and about 30 parents.

Perfect conditions on Porirua Harbour with a 10kn warm northerly blowing directly down the course – a huge advantage to those with sails!!  The raft build was brilliant with all Scouts showing excellent pioneering skills; the designs converging into last year’s Titahi Bay winning catamaran style.

Ngati Toa’s #1 crew (Jareth, Hannah, Torrie, Daniel, Callum) lead from start to finish with a square-rigged sail with their #2 crew (Chris H, Nicky, Joe, Jessica, Emma) following with a smaller sail. However, after a slow start in the more fickle air, Titahi Bay’s #1 crew with a spinnaker-like sail hit full speed and ran down the Ngati Toa #2 crew with about 150m to go. But by then, the race was over. Ngati Toa’s #3 crew (Brady, Joseph, Harry, Marcus, Matthew), came in fourth. Fifth was Titahi bay’s #2 crew with the Raumati 3 man crew without spinnaker coming in 6^th.

Back up the course, lots of fun was being had by the last three rafts, Ngati Toa #4 (Ryan, Tom, Will, Rowan, Finn, Chris P), Otaki and Levin, with a few lessons learned as they broke up as lashings loosened.  Paddling failed, sails became anchors and swimming prevailed until the inevitable arrived with a tow behind the patrol boat.

Robbo,  now you know why Titahi Bay and Ngati Toa don’t use plastic drums – very fast but only when detached from the raft, which they are want to do!!

Lots of fun for the Leaders and parents as well. Ngati Toa launched it’s three rowing cutters – 21 sets of very tired arms last night, especially when the promised tow back upwind failed to eventuate (the organizer in the patrol boat was not bribed sufficiently) but the smiles on the faces of parents and kids made the pain all worthwhile. Yeah right!!!

Photos are already on the NTSS website http://ngatitoaseascouts.blogspot.com/

Again, congratulations to NGATI TOA and to all the participants and supporters – see you all again next year.

Roger