Portishead Raft Race - report and pictures!

 

IT was wet, wet wet at Portishead’s annual raft race as teams made a mad dash across the water to be first past the finishing line.

Daring sailors took to the water to race their way across the lake, round the island and back the shore, watched by a crowd of several thousand.

This year’s raft race attracted 31 entries, with rafts crafted by local schoolchildren, businesses and community groups.

Some sank while others floated and one raft even had to be modified at the last moment after complaints from other entrants that it was being powered by solar energy.

Team members from Portishead based firm Sun Ray Solar had to take off the solar panels they had fitted on their raft to power an outboard propeller after other rafters said they had an unfair advantage.

They also had to remove special paddles at the side of the raft before being allowed to continue in the contest.

Sun Ray Solar director, Ashley Wright, 52, said: “It was my business partner Nick Orchard that came up with the idea of using solar panels.

“The sun has been out, so we thought we’d stick on some solar panels.

“We thought we were being ingenious and doing something different.

“But we took them off so we could continue in the races.”

Friends Oliver Wilkins, 14 and Rhys Laws, 14, took to the water on their raft ‘Come on England’ and reached the semi finals.

Oliver, from Portishead, said his granddad Peter had helped build the raft.

Oliver said: “We have been planning the raft since January and went with a World Cup theme.

 “We came to watch the raft race last year and that was what inspired us to enter.

“We have collected around £130 in sponsorship so far and are definitely coming back to have another go next year.”

The Chicken Team – made up of a group of friends from Portishead Primary School – made it through to the junior final race on their raft – complete with a painted cardboard chicken at the helm -  and said they expected to have raised £500 in sponsorship from family and friends.

Winners of the junior race was the 1st Portishead Scouts Denny Troop who sailed to victory on their raft, A Swiss Adventure.

Assistant scout leaders, Frank Gill, said: “The barrels are going back to the brewery tomorrow and the oars were made out of an old car bumper, so it’s a real recycled raft.”

Portishead carnival flower princess Jasmine Haskins, eight and Gabriella Lockwood-Davies, were on hand during the day to help with the judging and present prizes.

Gabriella said: “The raft race is a brilliant day out and we have enjoyed seeing all the different rafts.”

First past the finishing line in the main race was the A-Team – made up of a team of actors from the St Mary’s Players, Staple Hill, Bristol.

The team won the race last year with the entry Star Wars and said they were delighted to hold on to the title in 2010.

The team, made up of Dan Masters, 26, John Webber, 30, Craig Broadbear, 41 and Phil Oliver, 34, said they would be returning next year to defend their winning position.

Dan said: “It was a pretty tough race and we had some fierce competition, but we will definitely be back year to hold on to our title.”

The childrens’ edible boat race also attracted dozens of entries, with youngsters using all sorts of fruit, vegetables and other goodies to make their mini vessels to sail across the lake.

Sadie Virgin won the prize for the best design in the under eight category, while Steph and Molly took the prize for best design in the eight and over section.

The award for ‘best floater’ went to Charlie Gardner in the under eight category and to Bethan in the over eight section.

Raft race committee spokesman, Mark Gardner, said: “The whole day was fantastic and we had some great rafts and great crews and there was a fabulous atmosphere.

“It was a real spectacle for the thousands of people who came to watch and we are hoping to have raised a lot of money for charity.”