New route, but raft race is still a winner

WINNERS of this year’s Mumbles raft race set a new course record – as the race followed a different route to the finish for the first time in more than 30 years.

Crowds filled every inch of Knab Rock and flocked to the front to see the array of impressive rafts yesterday from a fire engine and Noah’s Ark, to Del Boy’s van and a swanky car.

Cheers rang out as the teams battled their way from Knab Rock around a halfway marker and back to the slipway near Verdi’s at lunchtime.

A bumper £25,000 was raised for charity last year towards the Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI who stage the race. Kev Johns, who was announcing the winners yesterday lunchtime said it was a great day without any disasters.

Mr Johns said: “Envico Engineering won the race and can say they set a new course record as it’s a different course.

“There was a fire engine raft but my favourite one was Noah’s Ark, they were dressed up in animal costumes and there was a guy who was dressed as Noah.

“It was massive, I was doing the commentary at the halfway stage and there was no room for anyone to watch along the front 45 minutes before it started at Knab Rock – I was amazed.

“Everyone was dressed in playsuits and there were lots of dogs out.

“The Flintstones was another good raft but they came last.”

He added: “I do not think there were any sinkings or disasters.”

Julie Cole yesterday tweeted a picture of all the rafts on the water and wrote: “Mumbles and Gower Raft Race today... great fun day... beautiful views... what’s not to love about Mumbles.”