Rafters Make A Comical Splash For Good Causes

Published on: 4 Jul, 2016
Updated on: 6 Jul, 2016

By Drew Lernihan

Guildford’s annual raft race went swimmingly as members of the local community came together on Saturday, July 2, competing for first place and raising £5,000 for good causes.

Getting ready for the race. Picture by David Beamish.

The race started at Millmead Lock with the finish at the Waterside Centre in Stoughton Road, Bellfields.

Watching the run as the race gets under way from Millmead. Picture by David Beamish.

The Guildford Lions’ Club hosted the event that was bustling with excitement as spectators enjoyed drinks in the sun while participants hurried to get their rafts to the starting line.

A boat full of pirates. Picture by Drew Lernihan.

There was shouting, cheering and laughter as those competing shared friendly conversation and jokes as they raced.

A motley crew! Picture by David Beamish.

Participants paddled downstream in their home-made rafts, wearing bizarre costumes, occasionally fitting a theme, which this year was comic characters.

Splashing each other. Picture by David Beamish.

Occasionally they splashed water at each other, or even fired water-guns to distract others while overtaking them.

Crusaders head downstream. Picture by Drew Lernihan.

Geoff Sheldon, who has recently become a member of Guildford Lions, said the event has been running for 43 years. This year 20 rafts took part, but there have been up to 45 rafts in peak years.

All set for the race. Picture by David Beamish.

He said: “We’re all about putting something back and serving the community, and the raft race is one way to do it. People get to have a bit of fun and we raise money for charity.”

The sun shinmes on the racers. Picture by David Beamish.

The Guildford Lions meet at the Waterside Centre where its members plans fundraising events. It donates funds locally and overseas. For example, to Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and the Friends of Chernobyl Children, a project for supporting sufferers of the Chernobyl aftermath.

An overtaking manoeuvre. Picture by Drew Lernihan.

As the raft race continued down river, I followed it to the finish.

When I arrived I spoke to Les Holdaway of Holdaway Building Services who once again won the race.

More pirates! Picture by David Beamish.

He said: “It’s been fantastic and very well organised. Guildford Lions do a great job. They look after everybody as you can see and even put on the weather for us!”

The Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, even went alongside rafters in a boat and then announced the winners at the finish.

He said: “I think this was an absolutely fantastic success. We’ve had sun, hail, storm clouds and wind. Not withstanding all of that the whole event has been superb, the efforts of all of the various rafters were quite extraordinary.”

Picture by David Beamish.

He was joined by the first woman president of the Guildford Lions, Erica Quaile, who said: “From the point of view of the Llions it’s been very successful.

“We’ve had 20 rafts taking part, which is a good turnout, and it’s a good fundraiser for us. We’re pleased it’s gone well.”

Picture by David Beamish.

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