Splashing end to Masterton holidays

Kids splashed their way to the finish line at Genesis Recreation Centre on Friday when they raced rafts built as part of a holiday programme.

They had spent the past two weeks designing, making and racing trolleys and rafts, and playing sport and eating healthy lunches, as organised by Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council.

Almost 170 kids were based in three schools around Masterton, as well as a group in Carterton, although only the older age group were racing at the pool.

Lakeview School base co-ordinator Mark Harris said the whole programme had been great.

"It's been a lot of fun the last two weeks," he said.

"The main thing is everybody has a good time."

After giving the participants a safety briefing, the children raced their rafts in the back pool - swimming a length for each member of their team.

Although there could only be one overall winner, all the teams gave it their best shot.

Organiser Sandy Ryan said the two weeks were "fantastic".

"It's been about giving kids a chance to do something different," she said.

"They're an absolute pleasure to be around."

She said Doug Bracewell, of Wairarapa Bush, deserved a special thank you as the original programme - which started last January - was his idea, and he had been great with the children.

Masterton District Council community development task group chairwoman Lyn Patterson said they allocated $15,000 a year to the programmes, although organisers take it upon themselves to find any extra funding needed.

She managed to spend three afternoons on the programme - even taking her swim gear down just in case - and said it was money "extremely well" spent.

"Particularly in this programme where they're building trolleys and rafts and put into practice what they've learned," she said. "The kids have been awesome"

Mrs Ryan said that in April they planned to run a programme based around "flying machines".