Raft Race again another huge success

Posted Sunday, August 1, 2010

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Moville Raft Race

It starts at 4pm every year on the Sunday of the August Bank Holliday Regatta Weekend and it has become one of the most popular events on the Moville calendar.

From my vantage point in the River Row I was able to watch the crowds arrive at the pier.

The weather was a worry (as ever) as there were a few spots of rain earlier on by the skies parted about half an hour before the event (and parted back again about 15 minutes after the race) and the sun broke through.

Full

They started arriving in force at about 3:25pm.

At 3:30pm I counted about 20 people on the pier.

Fifteen minutes later the pier was full.

Rafts

I'm told that there were around 17 rafts this year.

By the time the race started at about 4:10pm it wasn't just the pier that was full but the whole of the area with others on high vantage points on the Green at Montgomerie Terrace.

I think that one of the reason that people like it so much is that there are usually a few 'sinkers'.

The tide was low this year, though, and the water was calm so they all made it to the finish.

It's a great spectacle.

More

My only crtiticism is that I would like to see more.

I set out at 4pm and was back home by 4:35pm.

I wonder if they could have a series of races.

They do have different categories of winners but everyone sets out at the same time and it's not the same finishing fifth or something like that in teh race and being told you ar ethe winners in your category.

It feels much better crossing the line first.

Different Races

They could have a Championship for the serious teams who want to become Champions and another for fun racers.

They could have different ladies and men's races.

They could have different adults and junior races.

They could even have different races for different categories of raft as some seem a bit more serious than others.

It seems that it makes a goodly amount of money each year for charity.

Raft Race Fun Day

I'm not sure of this is feasible but could they not have races that go past the Bay Field and finish in that area?

It might be a bit safer to have people watching the finishes from there instead of clambering up on those rocks at the pier.

It would also be an opportunity to set up stalls and sell things to those who come along - or have an event like the Sports & Fun Day in the Bay Field, although they shouldn't copy it exactly.

There would be more room there for Bouncy castles and things like that.

Vary the Times

There might be problems with high tide and low tide but they could vary the times.

It doesn't need to start at 4pm every year.

Don't get me wrong.

It's great as it is and a great attraction to bring people to Moville.

But it would be even better if it lasted a bit longer and had more sideshows - and might make more money for charity too.

And all power to them - they do a great job for the town and for charity.

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