Rafts and laughs

In a tradition which now spans 45 years, on Monday Year 7 and 8 students at Kerikeri High School competed in a raft race around the historic Stone Store Basin.

This year’s flotilla of 25 home-built vessels were, as usual, a mixture of the functional and the decorative, though in contrast to other years — and despite extra challenges such as a king tide and a strong current — all made it to the finish line afloat and intact. As always, the new teachers entered a raft, starter’s orders were issued by former deputy principal Neil Sorenson, and volunteers of Kerikeri Fire Brigade and St John Ambulance helped ensure a successful race.

Photos by Peter de Graaf.

The 45th Kerikeri High School raft race gets underway with the historic backdrop of the Stone Store.

Ready to race are the Tree-O paddlers, from left, Joe Howells, 12, Cameron Willis, 13, and Jade Sceats, 12.