The Olney Group is urging anyone to have a go and enter this year's Olney Raft Race - whatever their standard! You might be entering a pub team, fundraising for a school or local group. The aim is to have some fun...
Last year’s winner in a time of 25 minutes was the Hollow Wood Surfers, just pipping 2008 winner the Gaffros to the post by four seconds. The Thunderbirds-inspired Blunderbird 2, complete with Lady Penelope on her throne, won the most entertaining raft.
The day starts with the Duck Race, starting at 1.00PM at the weir in Emberton Park, where there'll be refreshments plus a PA system for the race commentary.
Once the ducks have finished their racing, attention will turn to the raft race, starting from the weir at 2.00PM.
The course runs downstream to the Swimming Steps where the first rafts should start to arrive at 2.30PM or so. As well as cheering the rafts as they arrive, the Olney Group lays on entertainments, more refreshments and a bar planned at the finish, plus a baby changing tent for those with very young ones.
This year there is also the added attraction of water zorbs in a big pool at the Raft Race finish, provided by http://www.water-warriors.co.uk. This is a local company (Warrington-based) and says the zorbs are the "latest craze in aquatic entertainment". The balls are plastc spheres, which are 2 metre in diameter which you can climb into and then literally float on water. Once on the water you can try your hand at running, jumping, balancing, rolling or just take your ipod with and relax!
Want to know more or interested in taking part in the raft race? Then contact Mark Luckin: phone: 07743 983686 email: mark.luckin@googlemail.com
