Sticking the gumboot into Taihape culture
Red bands were flung far in Taihape as Gumboot Day got into full swing - both over arm and under arm.
Contesting for a spot in the New Zealand Championships, people tried their luck at throwing a gumboot as far they could at the North Island Gumboot Throwing Championships on Saturday.
All sorts of gumboot-themed games took place at Taihape Memorial Park like gumboot plank racing, gumboot in a barrel and a gumboot three-legged race.
Gumboot day organiser Michelle Fannin said it was a day that was all about fun and family.
‘‘It’s great here, we have the room, all this space and each year we have room to get bigger. Lots of free activities for our families, that’s what it’s about.’’
Trustee of the New Zealand Rural Games Trust Steve Hollander said the event was an important part of New Zealand and Taihape’s culture.
‘‘The whole concept of Taihape’s Gumboot day has been going for a long, long time and it’s got a mystery and an intrigue about it that has given the town a bit of an identity.’’
Hollander said the winners from Taihape would go on to the Hilux Rural Games in Palmerston North’s Square next week.
‘‘It will be a brilliant arena for the games and we are excited about that and what’s happening here today.’’
How to Dad’s Jordan Watson was at the championships filming for his mockumentary.
He tried his hand at the gumboot throw and joked that he ‘‘had been training hard’’.
‘‘I actually hurt my thumbnail and there has been a few raised eyebrows at me in Auckland throwing gumboots around. ‘‘It’s a bit of a laugh really. ‘‘I came down yesterday for the set up and just the guy who was there threw it and it went the furthest I have ever seen a gumboot go.’’