MARLOW 18 PLUS
NATIONAL RAFT RACE 1998

SUBMARINE SABOTAGE AT THE MARLOW RAFT RACE

On Friday 31st July the second Marlow Raft Race Weekend began. Despite the showers tents were erected. Funny how the tent pegs wouldn't hammer into the ground - with all the rain you'd expect the ground to be soft.

The disco was held in the Marlow RUFC clubhouse with the South Coast Disco playing loudly to drown out the rumbling trains running down the side of the venue. Saturday dawned fine and after a hearty breakfast, courtesy of the clubhouse catering staff. it was soon time to set off for the raft race. It was a short five minute drive or a good ten minute walk via the short cut scenic path to the race site. Westhorpe Water Sports lake.

The initiative test then began. Out of a motley selection of blue 200 litre chemical drums, a few grey drums. poles and a wonderful collection of ropes, four rafts were constructed. They all looked similar with two drums in front and two to the rear. The secret of the design seemed to be in the main brace and the chance of having an old boy scout on your construction team.

Tim Brooke-Taylor had come along. togged up in his Henley Regatta blazer, to start off the first few races. The first three rafts were launched and only one was stable. Chingford were the first group to be completely dunked when the craft self-destructed. One raft survived intact to be crewed to victory, slowly but surely by Chelmsford. The other raft, designed on the Indy Car principle, could only go in one direction!

Modifications continued throughout the morning. The net results were rafts turning turtle, drums coming adrift and members being ejected into the depths. Southampton were seen aboard a raft modification of three drums arranged in a triangular fashion.

Abingdon took part, bringing their own raft. a giant polystyrene pizza box. High Wycombe, last year's winner, failed to make this year's final, which was contested between Chelmsford and Billericay.

The rafts of both finalists looked similar but the Chelmsford crew paddled quickly into the lead. Two human depth charges were launched from the Billericay craft and hit their target (Captain Blackbeard Carter struck again). The Chelmsford craft disintegrated and the gallant crew continued with their individual drums to victory, inches ahead of the Billericay Pirates!

The brilliant sunshine was a bonus. and a necessity to dry off the competitors as very few had escaped a soaking! By three o'clock two coaches had left the campsite on the Real Ale Trip to the Royal Oak where the guest beers were Blond Bombshell, Rebellion, IPA by Marlow Brewery and Wadsworth 6X.

The Saturday night disco saw some members from local groups come down for the evening to attend the disco and watch the excellent covers band "What Next" play some fine Indy Pop and classic rock. The award ceremony took place with the trophy being presented to Chelmsford and the wooden spoon went to Chingford for giving people the best laugh when their raft disintegrated!

Thanks to Marlow for all their hard work organising a superb weekend. If you weren't there you missed out.

SALLY STUMPWEED Staff Reporter

Published in Plus News August 1998