Gravesham District - Kontiki Raft Race

Sunday 1st June saw Gravesham District Scouts on the water at Leybourne with their annual Kontiki Raft Race.

In previous year we have had the raft and canoe races on the same day but this year we decided to split the events and the canoe races will be held later in the year.

The weather was great and some sixty young people took part.

The main raft race was divided into two parts, best built and fastest and the course chosen was not the easiest! The teams had one hour to build their rafts and were then started at two minute intervals.

They had to carry their raft from the start line, enter the water, paddle to a small island, carry it across the island then back in the water to the finishing line.

Not all rafts completed the course but all the young people thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

A separate race was held for Explorer Scouts and the day finished with a novelty raft race on a theme of Bugs Bunny [thus the ears in the photo!].

Best built -

• 1st. Culverstone and Vigo
• 2nd. Higham
• 3rd. Milton Mount

Fastest raft:

• 1st. Shorne
• 2nd. Culverstone and Vigo
• [joint] 3rd. Milton Mount Istead Rise & 5th Northfleet

Thanks again to Ged Cooke and Alan Skelton who organised the event and all those who acted as water and bank marshals and judges on the day.

Paul Baylis [District Scout Leader Gravesham]