Ideal weather for the polar plunge

Mt Aspiring College pupils Max Hall (12) and Laura Erichsen (12) in their cardboard ''blues boat'' overtake Sophia Fitzgerald (11), who has parted company from her boat ''the sinkalot'' during yesterday's Wanakafest cardboard boat race. Photos by...

Ruby Smith (5), of Albert Town, gives competitors in the Wanakafest Bullock Creek duck race a helping hand.

Himaya Dalton (11) and Jody Chisholm (11), of Wanaka, exit Lake Wanaka in a hurry after their Wanakafest polar plunge yesterday.

Persistent rain, wind and cold temperatures took their toll on Wanakafest events over the weekend.

While the weather was perfect for a polar plunge into Lake Wanaka, it was less than ideal for the wine and food festival on a sodden Pembroke Park.

Heavy rain on Saturday, meant the sound stage had to be moved inside a marquee to allow Don McGlashan and other entertainers to perform safely.

While children danced in the puddles and adults in warm jackets enjoyed the entertainment and refreshments, the numbers attending were down on previous years.

Wanakafest manager Laurel Morrison said gumboots were a necessity.

''But I was amazed by the turnout despite [the weather].''

Fresh snow on the hills and a cold northwesterly yesterday did not stop hundreds of spectators lining the swift-flowing Bullock Creek to watch the duck race and good crowds turning out for the polar plunge, cardboard boat race and trolley derby.

Most events were completed.

However, Wanakafest manager Laurel Morrison admitted her choice would be to hold the event in February rather than October.

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