Intrepid Tata cardboard boaties brave the waves
Peter Blasdale with, from left, Tullia Wilson, Betsy Blasdale, Eva Wilson, and Katy Blasdale (dark hair). Photos: Ina Holst.
Twenty-five intrepid teams, some dressed to the max, others covered by very little, raised their paddles and pushed off their cardboard constructions at the 12th Tata Titanic Boat Race on Sunday.
Whilst disintegration on impact with the water was the fate for a fair few, other cardboard constructions paddled on valiantly and the little skiff Splodge, winner for Seaworthiness, looked like new after completing the course.
Other entries included a massive wedding cake with bridesmaids and weeping wedding guests, alien floaters from outer space, a clockodile, something that looked like a floating hand grenade powered by a stingray, a taniwha and lots of sensible, no-frills designs constructed for buoyancy.
Symbolic of our state of economic affairs, the Global Meltdown crew of bankers launched with great aplomb. They floated awkwardly for a while before leaving the sinking ship, throwing away bags of "American dollars" which they wanted back afterwards "with interest." Unsurprisingly they gained the Bribery award.
The TAG trophy for the Most Dramatic Sinking went to the international crew of rock climbers who sailed in on "Bear Nipples" and good spirits.
Prizes also went to Patsy Garrett for being the oldest competitor (no details supplied), and to Areta Milne for being the youngest boatie (six years).
Long-time boat constructor Nigel Marsden praised the entries this year as being "fantastic". He disclosed that "kayaks go well; it is just really hard to make them waterproof." He and his crew were responsible for the alien spaceship, a platform on two floating devices, which was designed for stability instead of speed.
In his capacity as supporting dad, Struan Clark said he was really surprised how heavy the cardboard contraption "Floating Queen" was and how well it had lasted. His whanau built a stage for "upper performance" with lots of rolled cardboard inside it, which took a couple of days to make. Boatie Hamish Clark, 12, summed up the event by shaking a fistful of soggy cardboard, saying with a wide grin: "Look what's left of our boat!"
Thanks went to all those who ventured out to sea, cleaned up afterwards, supported and judged this social event. It was also reassuring that none of the boats broke the speed limit of five knots.
Ina Holst
Results: There were 25 teams: 12 junior (16 & under) & 13 senior teams. Junior Section: Construction and Artistic Effect of Boat - Queen. Appearance and Entertainment Value Of Crew: Happy Ever After. Seaworthiness: Splooge. Senior Section: Construction and Artistic Effect of Boat: Global Meltdown. Appearance and Entertainment Value Of Crew: Achtung Baby. Seaworthiness: Alien Spaceship. First To Finish: The Old Grey Tub. The TAG Trophy: Most Dramatic Sinking: Bear Nipples. Best Dressed Female: Kana Suzuki. Best Dressed Male: Peter Blassdale (Dr Yes). Youngest Person Competing: Areta Milne (6). Oldest Person Competing: Patsy Garrett (over 40). Bribery Award: Global Meltdown.
