Raft racing oar some fun

Kids were given the chance to put their handiwork to the test at a raft racing challenge at the Genesis Energy Recreation Centre in Masterton yesterday.

As part of the Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council (MSHCC) school holiday programme kids formed teams of four and built rafts at Henley Mens Shed.

MSHCC manager Sandy Ryan organised the raft challenge.

"The idea was they had to ergonomically design a raft and take their designs to be cut out with jigsaws.

"They had to work out how they were going to attach a flagpole and how they were going to paint [them]," Mrs Ryan said.

They also had to make two oars.

She said it took the teams about six hours, over three days, to build the rafts.

"They're beautiful and they have had to work really hard, they've had to be really co-operative as teams to make it happen."

Yesterday the children participated in a day of raft racing at the outdoor pool. Events included a time trial, a dress-up race, a scoop race, where teams had to scoop up balloons, and a sports ball race.

Team Girl Power took out best paintwork and second best design.