“Paddle Steamer” In Scouts’ Race

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 18

“Paddle Steamer” In Scouts’ Race

The paddle-steamer principle will be employed for the first time in the “Kon Tiki Expedition” next Saturday, in which scouts will race home-made rafts from Beachville road, Redcliffs, to Morten’s Jetty at Mount Pleasant.

The Waimairi venturer scout unit has built and tested a raft propelled by a paddle wheel—two bicycle wheels linked with wood slats at the stern. Power to turn the wheel will come from a bicycle mounted amidships, and thus the raft will comply with the rule that sail or manpower must be used for driving and steering. The race is sponsored by the Rapanui district scouts, and the assistant district commissioner (Mr D. Collins) said he expected at least as many as last year’s 32 entries. No Nails

The rafts must be built by the scouts themselves, using no nails, screws, wire or nuts and bolts. Points are awarded for construction, manoeuvrability, stability and seaworthiness, as well as for the time taken to cover the course.

To ensure safety, the rafts have first to be checked by the troop or unit’s scoutmaster, bare feet are forbidden.

and life jackets or inflated tubes must be carried on board.

In the scout section, for boys under 16, each raft will have a mast of at least 7ft, displaying the troop colours. The crew of two, who need to be able to swim 25 yards to qualify, will sail or-paddle their craft to Mount Pleasant, where two more scouts from their troop will embark and cook a meal of sausages, eggs and toast with improvised equipment. Rafts of extra size and stability are required for the venturer (over 16) section, as these have a mast of 12ft or more and carry a minimum crew of four. The venturers must cook their meal on board during the race and have it ready to eat when the finishing point is reached. The “Kon Tiki Expedition” seemed to be getting more popular each year, said Mr Collins, and he was confident that the race given good weather—would be a real success.