This year saw the Uitenhage Round Table lifting their game and bring to the race a work of art and an engineering master piece. The Uitenhage Pirates designed a hand powered Ferris-wheel float that placed them as pre-race favourites, however as we would learn later on, a lack steering and a frame malfunction caused them to zigzag across the river, leaving a gap open.
That gap was taken by the Port Alfred modified bath-tub rig, who in return snuck into 1st position and finish the race in that as the over all winners.
The race was on for the last position, with the swirling torpedo float (swirling, because its crew spend most of the time rolling over into the water) of Swartkops taking an early lead, but thanks to some serious rowing power from the "walking on water" raft of Alex/Kenton the tables started turning.
It must be said, the "walking on water" needs an explanation, we seemed to not have made sure of the exact amount of flotation we required, which resulted in our raft working more like a submarine than a raft.
Needless to say Alex/Kenton managed to get in front of Swartkops, but our rowing speed seemed to be running out of power, so we did the next best thing, and decided to ram the Swartkops raft.
This educated gamble paid off and resulted in Alex/Kenton getting stuck to the front of the Swartkops raft, this allowed Alex/Kenton to sneak over the finishing line in a technical, but valid 3rd place.
Thank you to all the spectators and individuals who also decided to bring their own tyre-tubes/flotation devices and enjoyed the festivities.
A bring and braai was held at the Alex/Kenton 210 clubhouse at middle beach, where the trophy's were handed over.
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