Sopping good fun for one and all in Karitane raft race

It was hard to tell who was having the most fun in the annual New Year's Eve Karitane raft and boat race, the participants or the spectators.

At the end it was also hard to know if there had been a winner among the 25 craft which included several home-made rafts, but organiser Allan Anderson said it did not matter because the event was about participation.

"It's about just getting out on the water."

About 60 spectators lined the shore to urge on the various teams and hurl eggs, flour and water at those taking part.

Mr Anderson, also the safety co-ordinator for the event, was still smarting from the effect of an egg in the ear, but was pleased that rules about not littering the area with plastic from balloon water bombs had been followed.

One unusual entry was from "The Closet Rafters", consisting of an old wardrobe, complete with intact mirror.

Some tape to improve its water-tightness was its only improvement, but owner Geoff Lyell, a new Karitane resident, said the team would be using the year to come up with some new design concepts.

The afternoon race, based on an event which used to be held years ago, was resurrected in 2005.