By Hugh Coakley
The annual Guildford Lions Charity Raft Race splashed along the sunny river yesterday (Saturday, July 1) with a lighthearted poo protest at Walnut Bridge against Thames Water dumping untreated sewage into the River Wey happening at the same time.
Local XR members sat on toilets in a poo protest against Thames Water discharging untreated seawge into the Wey as the rafts splash by.
The race, supported by Zero Carbon Guildford, has been a feature in the town for over 50 years. The turnout was double last year with 19 rafts entered and seven paddleboards.
Rafts were being constructed by the river at Millmead just before the race started at 3pm with interested passers-by giving handy tips.
The 2.5km course, Millmead to the Waterside Centre near the Row Barge pub, is much longer than it seems if you are paddling it in an unstable craft. But of course, that is the tradition.
The nice weather helped the good turnout at Millmead to watch the Duck Race and the start of the raft race.
It included a Duck Race at the start and a barbecue at the finish and was well attended by friends of the competitors and families on a free day out on a wonderfully sunny afternoon.
Les Holdaway’s team, Hooks Wet Dream, won the Champions Super Raft. This is their 24th entry into the raft race.
The results were:
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Geoff Sheldon
July 3, 2023 at 3:26 pm
A fun day in the sun for rafters and spectators alike, now with Surrey Care Trust’s duck races and well supported by Zero Carbon Guildford. Thanks as ever to the public of Guildford for their great support.
Geoff Sheldon was the Raft Race organiser for Guildford Lions Club