But Ophir was not sleepy in the early hours of yesterday — in fact, it was probably more alive than anywhere else in the South.
The community got together to watch Finn Butcher race in the canoe slalom K1 at the Paris Olympics — set to play out between 1am and 4am yesterday.
The electronics experts got into their business, a large screen was put up and the livestreaming started, and everything ran smoothly.
Mrs Butcher, 83, arrived about 1am yesterday and was more than surprised to see more than 20 people at the hall.
"It was not widely advertised, but we do a have a community newsletter and it was in that, so I suppose that got a few people along," she said.
"Everyone seemed to have a good time. Everyone was watching the racing and time seemed to go fast. I think I left just after 4am."
Finn looked to have made a great run but it turned out he had missed a gate which led to him missing the final.
He recorded a time of 90.40sec — one of the fastest of the semifinals — and would easily have qualified him for a spot in the final 12.
But with 50 points added for the missed gate and a couple of other penalties, he totalled 146.40 and finished 19th, cutting him out of the final.
"I’m still really proud of him.
"Just to get there, and all the hard work he has done.
"It is just one of those things, missing the gate.
"I didn’t see it but that is sport. Things happen."
Finn had his parents Dale Butcher and Wendy Robertson along with sister Meg in Paris but Mrs Butcher said Paris was too far for her.
She said watching it on television was just as good.
There may be an encore next week at the Ophir Hall when Finn lines up in the slalom cross.
"Fin really loves that. It’s his favourite. He gets to bump a few people and have some fun."
