Big entry in annual Kontiki raft expedition

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 8

Big entry in annual Kontiki raft expedition

More than 700 guides and scouts took to the water on 110 rafts during the twenty-fourth annual Rapanui scout district’s Kontiki Raft Expedition on the Estuary yesterday.

A record number of participants had entered this year’s expedition, said the Rapanui district scout leader, Mr John Barr. The rafters had come from the Canterbury scout district, which includes Ashburton to the Hurunui River.

The rafts were sailed, paddled, and rowed on the Estuary from Redcliffs to Mount Pleasant. The expedition was not a race, and so the participants were judged on design, equipment and materials before setting

out, said Mr Barr. The raft crews of six also had to cook a meal before setting sail. In previous years, the rafters had to cook a meal on board, but so many people now entered the event that it was impossible to judge the meals on the water, said Mr Barr. The crews ranged in age from 11 years to 40. Organisers hoped yesterday that the easterly wind would continue during the day. A northwesterly or southerly change would have meant the postponement of the expedition because the rafts would have been blown out to sea, said Mr Barr. Most of the rafts, which were made of drums and

polystyrene with a mast and sail, completed the course in 30 to 45 minutes. The over-all winner of the Kontiki Trophy was the St Martin scout group (Christchurch). Winners of the other six sections were: Venturer scouts: Linwood and Avonside venturer unit. Rover scouts: Orion special services crew. Leaders’ section: Canterbury area Lones leaders. Novelty section: St Matthew’s scout group (Christchurch). Guides: North Beach and Chedworth guide units (equal). Ranger guides: Bealey ranger unit (Christchurch).