Around 30 people and their scale model radio-controlled boats arrived at the gates of Riverstone Castle for the Riverstone Regatta at the weekend.
The numbers were a little lower than usual but despite this, it was still a great day out, event manager Robin Jacobs said.
"From all aspects, as far I’m concerned it was still a really, really good regatta."
The weather forecast put a few people off attending but overall, he was pleased with the turnout.
"For what the weather predicted, very, very pleased."
Participants came from as far south as Invercargill and as far north as Christchurch.
He loved the social aspect of the day, Mr Jacobs said.
"I just enjoy catching up with people. It’s a great way for like-minded people to actually get out and experience it."
"I’ve got people from the North Island that, if they could, they would [attend]. They’d be down in a heartbeat. Last year, I actually did have a guy that keyed his holiday around it and he came to the regatta."
Having the backdrop of the castle made the event one of a kind, he said.
"You just won’t find it anywhere else.
"As far as scale model boating events go, or just boating events, with a background like that it’s the only one in New Zealand. Nothing will come close."
He was grateful to the landowners for allowing them to return each year.
"I would to put a big thank you to Dot and the team at Riverstone for letting this be continued. Without them, this doesn’t happen."
