The Great Kiwi Can Raft Race - 2011! Make sure you enter the 2012 event!

Peria School took out the Schools division in the inaugural Great Whangaroa Raft Race in April. The event was a huge success with 14 entries from local schools and community teams up for the challenge.

Kiwi Can Charitable Trust Whangaroa hosted the event and were overwhelmed by the support.

“It was a gorgeous day on the Whangaroa Harbour and we had some fearless contestants who saddled their entries and burnt some muscle over the 500m course,” says Kiwi Can Co-coordinator, Kate Moss. “It was fantastic to see such energy and enthusiasm out on the water and the effort that people put into designing and creating their rafts.  It was such a hot day I think they were all quietly relieved when the fire brigade hosed them down as they neared the finish line.”

The schools division had five entries with Peria School crossing the line first and Te Tii Primary second. Kaeo Primary’s - Lite Ning, the Totara North Vikings and the Kaeo Primary Paddlers placed thereafter.

The Open category was a diverse race with nine teams entered, all completing the course with varying degrees of ease.  San Kaeo, the Sanfords Fisheries team stormed across the line followed by Ngati Rehia Rebels from Te Tii,  KTown Shakers (John Argent and family), Can Tiki (Gundry/Mooney families), Fire Floater - the Kaeo Fire Brigade team, Shark Attack - the Kiwi Can Team, Team Cruso, Matangirau Rangatahi and finally the Kinetic Kinnons, a brave father – Doug Kinnon and his sons, Alex 8 and Henry 6.

Prizes were also awarded in each division for best Team Spirit, Most Creative/Innovative Raft and Water Safety.

“It was great to see the community step in to support the day; from the local mums who made fried bread and cakes to sell and families supporting their teams; to the Ambulance, Coast Guard, Dive North, NZ Paddle company and volunteer crew who made it all possible. We also had Dani Kaiawe and a team of waka Ama paddlers showcase a 12 man Waka.  It was loads of fun and we can’t wait to do it again next year,” says Kate Moss.

“We would also like to offer a hearty thank you to our other sponsors: NPC Graphics, Mt Pokaka Timber, Kaeoannes, Kauri Cliffs, Whangaroa Game Fish Club, Whangaroa Marina, The NZ Navy, Mike Style Builders, Bay Furniture Designs, Country Corner, Jo Hona, Kobi Wilson, Alf Hikowai and Tina Winder” said Kate Moss. Without them and the tremendous generosity of Sanford; Kiwi Can’s principal sponsor, this event and our community youth programme would not be possible.

San Kaeo (the Sanford Fisheries team), also kindly donated their first place Open Division prize back into the prize pool, which was extremely generous of the team members and certainly was a reflection of the community spirit on the day.

Well done and thanks for getting involved Whangaroa!

After making a huge splash last year the Great Kiwi Can Raft Race is back! Get building your raft and join the fun and energy of this oarsome community event.

Organised by Whangaroa Kiwi Can Charitable Trust the event challenges your school and the local region to foster team building, community spirit, camaraderie and creativity to BUILD, RACE and SUPPORT your team in this rafting event held on the Whangaroa Harbour.

Prizes are awarded for first raft across the line, water safety, team spirit and much more. There is also an Open category for community groups, clubs, businesses or individual families/friends to enter a team; and a Junior category with a mini boat/Rubber ducky race for pre-school and junior school challengers. So rally the spirits and get your team together to take out the number one raft spot.

Entertainment, stalls and water displays will be sure to keep the family in awe between races.

Come support your school, youth and community!

EVENT INFORMATION:

Date: Saturday the 10th of March 2012

Location: Whangaroa Harbour, near the Whangaroa Sport Gamefish Club area.

Registration: 9am

Start: 10.30am

Conclusion: 2pm

We expect raft entries from over six local schools and the Open division is sure to get a number of exciting entries from local businesses, clubs, and private teams.

Entrants are encouraged to enter a raft suitable to race the course with up to a maximum of five crew members.  Camaraderie and team spirit is encouraged and may be represented and reinforced by way of school/club colours, face painting, costumes, songs/chants.

Even though each raft has only five crew members the whole team can get behind designing and creating the raft and all the decorations/ that the teams want to be identified and recognised by.  The idea behind this is maximum participation and commitment to the team and the school/club/business. 

There are a number of Rules and Regulations that need to be considered so please view these on this site before get your raft construction underway.

We are aiming for a great race day and the more rafts and support crew the merrier.  All teams need to complete an official entry form.

There are three race categories:

1. Junior Boat/Rubber Ducky Race

2. School Raft Race

3. Open Raft Race

Entry is free to Juniors and Schools in the Kiwi Can Trust region, and we are seeking a modest $25 entry fee for all other Businesses, Clubs or Teams entering in the Open Division.

PRIZES:

Yes this is a race. There will be winners, camaraderie and fun. Key prizes will be awarded for the following:

First across the line - Schools

First across the line - Open

First across the line - Pre-school Miniature Raft/Rubber Ducky race

Best overall Team Spirit

Best Water Safety

Most Creative/Innovative raft

There will also be spot prizes that support the 6 categories above and their supporters.

SCHOOLS:

This community event is all about Team work and community spirit. The Kiwi-Can Charitable Trust works with a number of schools in the region and their participation and involvement in this fun event is the backbone of the programme as our Kiwi Can schools raft it out for top spot!

Essentially it is an event to foster community spirit and we invite the whole community to be involved on the day – either through entries, support crew, volunteering, or sponsorship.

Lets Race!

OPEN DIVISION:

Our Open Division is calling on the entire region to get in behind Kiwi Can, our youth, and community and enter a team in the rafting challenge.

It’s an opportunity for local Businesses, Clubs, Teachers, Council, Marae, and Friends/Family to get competitive and creative. Design, build and race your raft to be into win some great prizes and have a lot of fun on the day.

A small entry fee of $25, contributes to race expenses and gets you into win.

Check out the raft race regulations and get started today.

SPONSORS:

We are actively seeking Sponsors for the raft race prize categories and spot prizes. We love that this is a fun community event and it’s an opportunity to motivate and celebrate youth and community spirit in the Whangaroa region.  

If you or your business are able to contribute to the prize pool please contact Kate Moss on 021404514 or raft.race@xtra.co.nz.   Your contribution will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged on the day and throughout the build up to the event.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Click here for the rules and regulations for this event, please read before entering.

CONTACT:

Please click here to Register Online for the Great Kiwi Can Raft Race!

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, 10th March.

• Entry Fees are payable by cheque made out to:
  Whangaroa Kiwi Can Charitable Trust, P O Box 702, Kerikeri.
• Or direct bank transaction to account number:
  National Bank, The Whangaroa Kiwi Can Charitable Trust: 06 0350 0060951 00

If you have any questions or queries beforehand, please contact

Kate Moss
m. 021404514
e. raft.race@xtra.co.nz.