150 Rafters pitch for Kon-Tiki

Jbjsaturday

IMAGINE building a raft that floats on water and having to live on it for 24 hours without getting off, even to use the loo.

This was a challenge for Cape Town’s Scouts last weekend when hundreds of children, teenagers, parents and scout masters got together for fun and games at the 39th Cape Town Kon-Tiki at the Zandvlei Sea Scout Base.

This year’s theme was Star Wars. Many galaxies were represented once the rafts were afloat. The creativity and skill of the young scouts and guides were put to the test – both on and off the water.

The rafts had to have a kitchen, separate bathroom, and sleeping quarters. Once the rafts were launched the scouts lived on them for 24 hours and met a number of challenges.

For one of these challenges the groups were given wood, nails, paint and tools to build a go-cart that mimicked Star Wars X-wing starfighters. They transported the go-carts to shore, on canoes, where they raced them.

They also prepared dinner and breakfast for the judges in their floating kitchens. Dinner consisted of chili con carne, naan bread and salsa. Breakfast was chai tea with a steamed cake decorated to look like Princess Leia.

Additionally, they built an Imperial Walker out of wooden staves and attached it to the front of the raft, and purified water in a handmade moisture tower.

The Cubs, Scouts and parents on shore took part in the Fringe activities. The force was with the teams on land too. Here the Cubs, children between 7 and 10 years old, were joined by Scouts and parents who took part in the Fringe activities.

There was a volleyball tournament, obstacle course, tug-o-war, knee boarding race and cross country event. While the Scouting parents took part in a cooking competition with sumptuous results.

The Cape Kon-Tiki Adventure is considered one of the most exciting Scouting competitions. “This year was so much fun. The challenges were bigger and better and the vibe was amazing,” said event organiser Robbie Owen.

“We had over 150 youngsters partaking in the raft competition and over 340 on the Fringe. Combine that with the support crews, parents and visitors and we had around 4000 visitors over the weekend! It was fantastic.”

● The Cape Kon-Tiki Adventure was started at Zandvlei in 1978 by Darryl McEwan. Originally it was a raft competition where teens had to live on the raft for 24 hours. Today the competition has grown with the addition of the Kon-Tiki Fringe where the crews on land keep busy while the rafts are on the water.

PICTURES: LEON LESTRADE CHALLENGING: The Cape Town Kon-Tiki competition was held at the Sea Scout Base on the banks of Zandvlei.

WINNING WEEKEND: On Friday afternoon the teams arrived and started building their rafts. The criteria were very strict so that the Scouts and Guides (11 to 17) had a safe adventure.