Duck and dip for fundraiser

The temperature may be a few degrees cooler than January, but a carnival of sorts is coming to Kaiteriteri Beach this weekend for Riwaka School’s annual fundraiser

Now in its seventh year, the school’s annual fair, featuring the popular mid-winter swim and duck race returns this Sunday, beginning at 11am.

While hundreds make the trip to Kaiteriteri for the festival each year, most are mere spectators when only the bravest dress up – or down – for the mid-winter swim, which gets underway at 1pm.

Before that, around 2000 ducks will be dropped into the Kaiteriteri lagoon at 12pm, beginning a slow but eagerly-followed procession towards the beachfront.

Once everyone has feeling returned to their extremities, prize- giving is scheduled for 2pm.

Co-organiser Nicki Nicholas said a large part of the events success stemmed from the close-knit community spirit that exists in Riwaka, as well as a good strike rate of sunny weather every year.

‘‘We’ve always supported it through our business but now I’m a mum with a daughter at school you get to see just how involved and passionate the parents are.’’

There will be prizes for the best dressed mid-winter swim entrants including best dressed man, woman, girl and boy as well as a best dressed family prize.

As well as the main events, plenty of food and entertainment options are once again on offer, including an obstacle course, preschool play area and sandcastle competition through to musical groups from other Motueka district schools.

Nicholas said new faces on the organising committee has seen them draw on feedback from previous events to cater more for the under fives this year, in both the food and entertainment stakes.

‘‘We’ve always had massive burgers which have been fantastic but this year we’re going to try sliders or smaller burgers for the kiddies, because a five-year-old’s not going to eat a whole burger,’’ he said.

Prior to Sunday’s event, the school will be running a stall at the Motueka New World on Thursday June 22 from 10am to 5pm where you can buy raffle tickets for our luxury hamper prizes, trailer of fire wood and of course the awesome ducks. Eftpos will be available.