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Friday 31 January 2020
Titanic fun at Cardboard Boat Race
Red-crossing the line: The “Fixeruppers” emergency responders were first to finish, with the “Nessie Chasers” and “Ocean Spring” in hot pursuit. Photo: Shelley Grell. SHELLEY GRELL
One of the best things about the Tata Titanic Cardboard Boat Race last Saturday was revelling in the imagination, stealth and talent of the 15 local and visitor teams. Beach banter amongst the 300-strong spectators praised the stunning entries that lined the golden Tata Beach. “Pea-Rates” and “Nemo’s Secret” had jaws dropping in amazement with their prizewinning creative designs. The “Nessie Chaser” team of tartan-clad, blue-faced, wig-wearing, Scottish-accented paddlers from Tui Community had everyone laughing with their sea-monster chasing antics. And the emergency “Fixeruppers” team of zany nurses from the Health Centre were a hoot in their floating sea-ambulance. Both
teams deservedly stole a couple of prizes each for their efforts and entertainment. It was evident that competitors had garnered tips and tricks from previous years’ attempts and applied tactical improvements to their new creations. The windless morning, high tide, and trademark emerald-clear, calm sea made for perfect race conditions. Golden Bay Scouts were confident their “Smaug Aboard” would be an improvement on last year’s entry, with an airtight base and secret design to make it shed water at the rear. The smarts worked a treat, but “Stingray” and “Shark Tank” were just too good and stole the junior First to Finish and Sea-worthiness prizes. Mit Brereton from Adventure Flights Golden Bay got everyone’s attention and a giggle with his “Float with Mit” cardboard
upstage of his recently stolen Cessna 185 Skywagon mailbox. He said, “I’ve always wanted to build one of these for the race. It’s an exact replica of my plane – right down to the Jolly Wrenches skull and crossbones motif from the movie Planes. His eye-catching mailbox still hasn’t turned up, but Mit hopes to make another one in winter - with perhaps some added security features, he joked. Sadly, seaworthiness was not the cardboard plane’s forte. The top-heavy titanic-inspired compartmentalised design splayed its landing gear to bellyflop unglamorously onto the calmest of seas to earn Mit the Most Dramatic Sinking prize. No amount of internal paint or lucky thermal lift could have saved it. “I’d like to challenge other businesses in
the Bay to support the boat race,” Mit mooted. “The nurses always enter, and this year Miller Chiropractic has entered as well, which is cool. We need to have a business class for the race.” Race organiser Abbie Langford and MC Robina McCurdy – a long-time race supporter and Tui boat designer – were both delighted with the event. Abbie said: “I didn’t envy the judges, Bob Butts, Kevin Winter and Alan Kilgour, as the quality of the boats was amazing. We’ve been really lucky with prizes this year, thanks to so many generous sponsors, including Adventure Flights Golden Bay, Choco Loco, Take Note, NBS, Hammer Hardware and Tarakohe Port Services. It’s such a fun event that brings everyone together.” More photos on page 2.
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INSIDE: Walk for Life THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2020
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