Winners - Raft Race 2011

Raft Race 2011

Raft Race 2011 - Extra

Hi All,

Guess who came 1st, again, in this year’s District raft race held in Sutton Park on Saturday 9th July?

That’s right, it was our very own 6th Sutton Coldfield East Scout Troop, making it 3 successive years in row that we have won the competition.

This year we entered another 2 rafts on the water, each of very different designs.

We held several additional training sessions prior to the event in order to get the teams up to speed with the knots, lashings and general construction.

One of our teams got their raft built in less than 20 minutes, which definitely caused a stir from those around them. You are usually given 1 hour & 15 minutes to build your raft!

Both of our teams got off to a good start and our raft design which came 1st last year soon created a decent lead, which they managed to maintain over the entire course, almost! At the turn of the last marker they were in hot pursuit by a raft from the 16th, but there was no way we were going to be caught.
It was a nailbiting finish and I believe there will be some video available shortly which shows how your Leaders encouraged both our teams to keep going and win!

Our second raft design had a much harder slog as they were a less experienced crew and their raft was severely affected by the strong winds.
They seemed to row a boat length forward only to be blown 3 boat lengths backwards by the wind!
However they all put in 100% and although they did not finish, their dedication and effort did them proud.

I would therefore like to thank the following Scouts for taking part;

Jacob B, Lawrence P, Jamal M, Liam P, Kelsey J, Jacob H, Bradley R, Harry M, Reece D, Christan B & Simon U

Matthew U & Pia K-J were our reserves and Edward C also attended on the day. They all gave their support during the event.

I would like to say a special 'thank-you' to Matthew U for 'volunteering' to help Scouts from another part of the District in the raft race.
Without Matthew's support they would have been unable to take part, so well done Matthew!

I would also like to thank Patrick, Jacob B’s cousin, for helping us out once more on the day.

Many thanks also to all those parents who offered their support and helped make this a day to remember. I would especially like to thank our Group chairman, Ian B, for helping to transport the equipment to site.

The trophy, an old wooden oar, will once again be proudly hung from the rafters of our HQ for all to see.

All I can say is well done once again, to our brilliant raft building/raft racing winners of 2011.

Best regards,

Adam, Jason & Emily