Today I have laughed so much my sides hurt.
So where in the world on Boxing Day would you find teams of crazy people negotiating freezing waters in a home-made raft race……….Matlock in Derbyshire of course!
After half a day slaving over a hot stove making Christmas dinner and then the other half of the day stuffing myself with food and drink that I really did not need I was desperate for some fresh air and exercise. The sky was sunny and blue but running is out of order this week as the final training run was on Christmas Eve and I’m now resting ready for my own crazy event on Wednesday (all will be revealed in due course)!
Where better to go than the Matlock Raft Race. It was freezing, so I got myself wrapped up like a Teddy Bear and off I went in search of a good laugh with the one son who could be bothered to get out of bed, and laugh we did, we were not disappointed. Anyone can take part in the Matlock Raft Race. The only criteria are that you have to be fearless, water loving and slightly bonkers. The second two I would definitely pass and perhaps the first one most of the time so you never know you might find me on a raft one year, but this year I went as a spectator.
The race is an annual event. It has taken place most years since 1961, always on Boxing Day, and is held to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). It takes place on a 3 mile stretch of the River Derwent starting at Cawdor Quarry and finishing at Cromford Meadows. There are over 20 rafts enter each year and over 100 crew from all over the country. However, the raft has to be entirely home-made, from whatever materials you can rustle together and it has to be made by the crew of each craft only, with no external assistance allowed. It’s not compulsory, but it is the norm for your raft to have a theme and fancy dress is optional.
The river bank is lined with spectators and the river is dotted with around 30 emergency rescue kayaks in case of mishaps, of which there are always many as that is the whole point of it and the joy of the event! The River Derwent is no sleepy meandering river at this point. The course of the river here is fast flowing, curving and has a perfectly positioned weir with what is described as 30 metres of cold, deep, turbulent rapid white water! So where better to spectate from than the bottom of the weir. So I do apologise for the slightly poor quality of the photos and the twigs in the foreground as I clung onto a tree branch on the edge of the river trying to ensure I didn’t end up taking part in the race!
There were some excellent entries this year and after a good few days of rain and snow melt over the last few weeks in the area, the river was perfect for lots of mishaps and hilarity. Fortunately, no-one appeared to be too badly injured, just extremely cold. Here’s a look at a few of my favourites from this year.
The Vikings were one of the first down the weir, cheered on by the emergency rescue kayaks at the top and bottom, so get my vote for bravery.
However, coming a close second for bravery was the lone crew member who braved the entire 3-mile course in a converted fairground dodgem car!
Best fancy dress in my opinion this year should go to the Spice Girls, 3 grown men in their ‘Girl Power’ craft dressed up as Emma Bunton, Mel C and Geri Halliwell (complete in Union Jack Dress) and a home-made Mel B strapped to the front of the boat.
Best original theme I would give to the Peter Pan raft complete with Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Mr Smee. The crew from Ghostbusters come a close second but did not negotiate the second weir quite as well, resulting in a couple of craft members bobbing about in the river.
Best recovery of the day goes to the ‘BoAT out of Hell’ who despite a full capsize and the loss of all crew members managed to get back on their craft and get their flashing lights and stereo working and recommence their journey.
But for me the overall winners have to be the Vikings for today’s best capsize of the day. The only craft with a non-rigid bottom. The onboard celebration at having negotiated the first weir was soon replaced by dismay as the movement and wobble from the second weir and the force of the water was just too much to prevent the loss of a number of crew members into the water. Here it is.
A customary visit to the Fish and Chip shop to warm up was required and ended a lovely day with lots of laughter. I must remember – rigid bottom for the boat – just in case I decide to have a go one year, you just never know!