Rafts of every shape and form racing towards the goal on the other side of the bridge
Every year the villagers in Eardisland arrange a rafting competition along the river Arrow. Prizes are given to the fastest raft among the adults as well as among the participants younger than 16. And each year the rafts and its crew should have a theme. This year’s theme was movies, and the one that in the best and funniest way represented a movie got a prize as well.
I was there with my cameras and I had also the honour of judging the rafts. Slightly different from judging the World superyacht Awards that I have been doing for more than 15 years, but in no way less fun!
Foul play as young Crocodile Dundee is attacked by the vicious competition
The prize for the raft best representing a movie theme went to Indiana Jones (father and son; Simon and Solomon Green). Fastest yacht raft was Paw Patrol (Grandfather and granddaughter; Rob and Bella Leighton) and fastest among the young ones was Crocodile Dundee (Harry Howard-Knox). Congratulations to them all!
The rafts were admired on dry land (beside one of the pubs) before being carried to the “launch beach” upriver and then paddled or pushed in whatever way possible to achieve the coveted prizes.
Rafts being carried across our country lanes to the launch site. Smurfs and The Wizard of Oz
The young pirates captured my heart. They are just about ready to launch their raft
At the launch site
The orchestra is solemnly playing in the background, while the crews on the rafts are fighting each other to life and death. My daughter Mikee said that it reminded her of the Titanic, but the outcome was less dramatic this time.
Eardisland Village Band
The Wizard of Oz teamThe Paw patrol consisting of Grandfather and Granddaughter, Rob & Bella Leighton, were winning the race in the above 16 category (well, at least one of the team is above 16)Nuns on the RunFather and Son, Sinom and Solomon Green, are the Indiana Jones team. I have many pictures of them and Simon has a big smile in every single picture I captured. They won the prize for the best raft and movie representation.
Crocodile Dundee, Harry Howard-Know, was paddling the fastest raft in the under 16 category. Here he is in the middle, receiving his prize, and I think it is his two younger brothers flanking him. They were all incredibly cute.
