Thursday 20 February 2020

2020 Onepoto Raft Race

This years Raft Race was important because after a few years of dropping numbers, the Venturers finally came back in force.  And they brought with them all the creativity that we have come to expect from them.

This years turn out brought with it 7 groups:

  • Ngati Toa Scouts & Venturers
  • Paekakiriki Scouts & Venturers
  • Whitby Scouts
  • Waikanae Scouts brought a crew for the first time in a few years
  • Titahi Bay Scouts
  • Raumatis Scouts & Venturers
  • Brittannia Sea Scouts
Briefing was promptly held at 9am with a heavy emphasis on the corruptability of the officials!  No takers unfortunately.  Building commenced at a fairly sedate pace with some troops more or less throwing them together and others with very clear plans and well rehearsed knots that looked like they would do the distance and more.








The start happened on time at 10am, however, some groups were a little slow getting down to the line.  That did not stop them from making an impressive impact on the results at the end.



Once away, the impressive fleet looked like they were all going to get to the end, albeit, some were going to float, some paddle, some even swim.  But as it turns out, there were some groups that simply did not manage to hold it together all the way top the end.












A special mention si required for the Coracle built by the Paekakariki Venturers.  It looked really good, and while I didn't see it finish, I believe it did in one piece.


The winners this year, however, were Raumati Venturers.


Good job guys!

See you all at next years exciting event!