Easter raft races return to the waters of Pindimar

THE Pindimar Raft Races, one of the region’s most hallowed Easter traditions, returned to South Pindimar beach on Sunday morning. 

Under the watchful eye of local ospreys, perched upon their eyrie atop the lone pine overlooking the beach, a line-up of four serious contenders prepared to brave the icy autumn waters in the race for ultimate glory.

Some adhered to the original spirit of the event by building their own craft, while others went for something different, with one craft boasting a captive duo of mermaids.

A persistent fresh southerly breeze ensured freezing cold waters and waves on the launching beach, with conditions forcing a change in approach for some competitors.

Parents were brought in to tow kids’ crafts around the three-pointed course, while others adhered to the original ‘paddle-only’ rule base, leading to much contestation of the final results.

First across the line was ‘Gummi Bear’, dragged by a parent, and the first paddle-powered winner was the Mermaids and their captor.

Best Dressed and Best Craft both went to the ‘North Pindimar Pirates’, whose raft was a model of makeshift engineering that any pirate escaping a Caribbean sand bar would have been proud of.

The morning ensued with the traditional tug’o’war, which this year was an all-in event featuring both kids and adults.

A seafood tray, sponsored by Tea Gardens Fish Market, was raffled off to raise money for Pindimar Bundabah Community Association projects.

A small army of kids took off on the obligatory easter egg hunt amongst the reeds and mangroves, with some said to be still out searching the banks of the Karuah River many miles to the west.

By Thomas O’KEEFE