Port Alfred comes out to support wacky race on the Kowie River
| CLOSE TO THE BREEZE: The team of Chad Schenk, Kei and Seth Milne and Scott Wilson were named the Awesome Foursome, and won the prize for the most entertaining raft on the water at the Anything that floats race, held on the Kowie Rive Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
ROB KNOWLES
GLUE and duct tape, polystyrene floats and inflated tyres made up some of the strange and marvellous rafts that took to the Kowie River on Saturday for the "Anything that floats” race in aid of raising funds for the NSRI.
In total 12 teams took part to race the kilometre-long up-river circuit from the Port Alfred Ski-boat Club to the Barmuda Cocktail Lounge. With adrenaline pumping the teams floated out to take up starting positions as MC Stanford Slabbert from Port Elizabeth counted down the seconds.
Some teams struggled to get their rafts into the water, some rafts began to crumble and others capsized but, eventually, all made the 12 noon starting time.
Anything that floats is a Stenden South Africa initiative and organiser Lucy Slabbert said she was very pleased the people of the Kowie, as well as those from further afield, had come out to support the event.
"This is the second year Stenden has organised Anything that floats,” said Slabbert, adding it was possibly the wackiest race on the Port Alfred event calendar. The event finally managed to raise a total of R1 723 for the NSRI.
Teams could build rafts made from anything except boats, kayaks or motors. Many teams got inventive and recycled washed-up debris as a consequence of the recent floods in the area. Bits of old jetties therefore were salvaged and incorporated along with inflatable tyres, beach lilos and, quite literally, anything that floated.
The first three teams to cross the finishing line were awarded prizes, together with teams the judges considered merited attention.
First place went to Team Barmuda, second place to Supreme Machines and third to Barbie Bashers. The prize for the most creative team went to Rain Catchers, the best spirit, Team Blow Job and the best dressed went to KB Crew.
Other prizes included the most entertaining team - Brother in Arms, the most disastrous craft - Penny Pinchers, tenacity - Nemato Rowing Club, and for craftsmanship - The Highlander Team.
There were also a number of not-so-coveted awards such as the most disappointing raft, won by MultiSecurity who came in dead last. The strugglers prize went to iHire and the wasted air prize to the Awesome 4-some.
"We would just like to say thank you to everyone who participated and all the supporters, as well as a huge thanks to all our sponsors: MultiSecurity, Buco, Wimpy, Palms Video, Lifestyle Cafe, My Pond, Solly Kramers, Tab, Guido's, Quake Gym, Pig and Whistle (Bathurst), Leach Pharmacy, River cruises, Jeans Hair Team, Computer Bits and Pieces, Walmer Spar, Kodak Express, iHire, Aloe Pharmacy, Supreme Leisure, Penny Pinchers, Frameworks and Harcourts,” said Slabbert, who also gave a special thanks to Talk of the Town.
"Your team has been great and we really appreciate everything you have done for us. We had so much fun planning this event and we are all so happy it was a huge success and we were able to raise money for the NSRI.”
It was evident from the enthusiastic support, which came from as far afield as Port Elizabeth, East London and George, that this event will continue to grow in popularity, and encourage even more teams to enter in future.