PINDIMAR was the centre of the known universe once more, with the return of the hotly anticipated Easter ‘Anything That Floats’ raft races on Easter Sunday, 20 April.
The waters of South Pindimar beach were miraculously calm after the battering the north side of Port Stephens had received in days prior, while the serene scene was presided over by a resident raptor osprey from its eyrie atop the lone pine tree near the beach.
Later than usual tides forced the big race meet back to afternoon, but the kids and families present were able to while away the wait with the traditional Easter egg hunt and tug-o-war competitions, both of which saw victors and victors walk away with unparalleled glory, and a free sausage sizzle second helping.
Around 2pm, with the waters high and the tide ready to turn again, the rafts were dragged to the water to pass the first all-important test of basic floatation.
Six entries this year took the raft race into dizzying new heights of competitiveness, with ‘I Be Sea’, a cut-down water container decked with streamers, and ‘Ol’Junky’, a pile of lashed-together bottles and floatable detritus, up against a salvaged pirate dinghy.
A pink inflatable flamingo, piloted by a tiny tot, and a blue sloth were also joined by a kayak to round out the card.
Several racers, unfortunately, were disqualified almost immediately for not comprehending the basic rules, even as they were shouted out to them repeatedly over the loudspeaker: “you have to be on it, not pushing it around!”.
A genuine miracle was witnessed when ‘Ol’ Junky’ came in first across the shoreline, followed by ‘I Be Sea’, which had taken on a lot of water, but was still technically afloat.
The Pirates, third across the line, were consoled by the award for ‘best dressed’, their aesthetic efforts not going unnoticed by the pair of discerning judges, while the pink flamingo and its tiny pilot won ‘best sailor’, while its human outboard motor rethought the whole affair.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
