Resourceful boatmakers test creations

JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard

Onlookers armed with eggs, flour, fruit and water balloons offer encouragement to one hapless crew during the annual Urenui Dive Club raft race on Saturday.

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Participants had to dodge eggs, flour, fruit and water balloons as onlookers offered 'encouragement' during the annual Urenui Dive Club raft race on Saturday.

The community proved full of resourceful boatmakers who conjured up racing rafts from tyre tubes, wood and anything else on hand.

Racers not only had to battle the waters of the Urenui but also a hardy crowd of about 60 who took great pleasure in covering them with messy kitchen items.

Organiser Karl Jenkins said the day was a big success.

"Everybody had a good time," he said.

"We had 12 rafts which is about the average every year."

The annual race has been running for 20 years.

- © Fairfax NZ News