Portrush Raft Race will take place on Saturday, 27th May 2017 at the Harbour in Portrush as part of a jam-packed bank holiday weekend of harbour-side family mayhem and fun.
Chair of the Raft Race committee, Richard Connor, said, “We are really encouraged by the number of entries we have had so far, and knowing how many entries come in right until the afternoon itself, I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of healthy friendly competition on the day”.
The dedicated volunteers of Portrush Raft Race Committee have lined up a whole range of events for all ages throughout the bank holiday weekend. The full programme is detailed below, with the lineup including live music throughout the day, on-board tours of historic lifeboats, a rookie life-guard challenge for kids aged 10-15, a fun dog show and much more. The weekend’s grand finale will feature Irish magician Rod Hogg attempting daredevil escapology at the harbour.
Sponsors of weekend’s events, Ramore Restaurants, are launching their inaugural Portrush Daft Race on the Sunday afternoon. Alan Simpson, the now familiar Raft Race commentator enthused, “as the weekend gets closer the excitement grows. With rafts of every shape and size travelling from every corner of Northern Ireland and visitors from far and wide, the town of Portrush comes alive with colour and silliness. I would ask that with so much happening over the two days that everyone can give whatever they can to help such a worthy cause. Even the dogs in the street are chatting about Sunday’s fun and with Rodd Hogg bringing his Houdini-like magic to the harbour area, this year’s Raft Race Weekend definitely promises to be Portmagical”.
As well as being enormous fun on the beautiful north coast, it’s an important annual event for the RNLI and the town of Portrush. All the funds raised by Portrush Raft Race go directly to the local branch. In 2015 274 brave souls, a mix friends, families and corporate teams, competing on over 50 rafts raising money for the local RNLI Lifeboat Station.
Richard Connor added, “each crew member’s uniform costs £2,000, entirely funded by donations, this brilliant family weekend makes it possible to provide the entire North Coast with a year-round invaluable rescue service”.
If you’re thinking of entering, but don’t have the skills to build your own raft there are some available for hire in return for a small donation to RNLI.
Entries are still open to teams; application forms and full entry guidelines can be obtained from www.portrushraftrace.com Entries stay open until 2pm on race day.
SATURDAY, 27TH MAY 2017
Raft Registration (Kerr Street Green)
All raft teams to report to registration on arrival.
RNLI Coastal Safety Roadshow (beside Lifeboat House)
Free advice on safety in and around our coastline, along with free lifejacket checks. Last year we discovered 289 lifejackets that would not have worked had they been used and 70 manufacturers’ recalls.
Speciality Fair Stalls (beside Lifeboat House)
Junior Raft Race 2017 (Harbour Pontoon)
One for our Raft Race stars of the future. Fun mini-races in the safety of the harbour. Turn up and register at the pontoon from 10:30AM. Entry fee is £2 per child, two kids per raft, with the race taking place in heats. Full details in our FAQ section.
Kids’ Play Zone (Kerr Street Green)
Bouncy castles, slides and a whole lot more fun c/o Cromore Castles.
Kids’ Outdoor Disco with Alan Logan (Amphitheatre)
Pirate Walkabout (thoughout the harbour area)
Lifeboat Tours Past and Present (Harbour Pontoon)
Tours of Portrush Lifeboat, ‘William Gordon Burr’, are subject to emergency response requirements. Historic ‘Joseph Soar’ Lifeboat was withdrawn from service in 1990, throughout her life she was launched 135 times and saved 135 lives.
Music by South Ulster Community Band (beside Lifeboat House)
Rookie Lifeguard Challenge (West Strand / ‘Wee Beach’ if inclement weather)
RNLI beach lifeguards invite kids aged 10-15 to have a go at some basic lifeguarding skills. From a beach start, competitors will complete a short sea swim, followed by a knee paddle on a surf rescue board. The timed challenge will finish with a run along the beach. Do you have what it takes to be a lifeguarding star of the future?
Circus Skills Workshop (Amphitheatre)
Facepainters & Balloon Modellers (Amphitheatre)
RNLI Rescue Display (West Bay)
Portrush Lifeboats and Lifeguard teams showcase their amazing rescue skills. Live onshore commentary by Mark Mitchell, Deputy 2nd Coxwain.
Selfies with Stormy Sam (Amphitheatre)
Stormy Stan is the busy Storm Force mascot, RNLI’s club which helps little ones discover the exciting world of lifeboats and lifeguards. The best selfie tweeted using #stormystan and #portrushraft will win a prize.
Beach Tug of War (West Strand)
Tug of war challenge for rafting teams.
Raft Race 2017 (start West Strand, finish Wee Beach)
The main event of the day. With 11 prizes up for grabs competition is sure to be fierce. Safety announcement at 3:25.
Music with Alan Logan & Circus Skills Workshop (Amphitheatre)
Raft Race Prize-Giving (Wee Beach)
Presentation of prizes by Matt McAlpin (Ramore Restaurants) and Alan Simpson.
SUNDAY, 28TH MAY 2017
Beach Yoga (West Strand)
Everyone is welcome to join in our yoga taster session.
Beach Volleyball (West Strand)
Come and watch expert teams battle it out on two beach courts.
Kids’ Play Zone (Kerr Street Green)
Bouncy castles, slides and a whole lot more fun c/o Cromore Castles.
RNLI Mayday Welly Wang (West Strand)
An exciting new event to kick off Sunday’s programme of events. All are welcome to come and test their welly chucking skills. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category: under 10’s, 11-16’s, 16+ male, 16+ female.
Babushka’s Big Dip (West Strand)
Harbour-side coffee shop Babushka will supply those brave enough to swim, dip or bathe in the Atlantic Ocean with warm drinks and tasty treats. In return for a donation to RNLI this exciting new event is open to everyone– wetsuits are of course, optional.
Paddleboard Taster Sessions (Wee Beach)
Trogg’s Surf School will be on hand at the ‘wee beach’ to offer SUP paddle board taster sessions in return for a small donation to the RNLI.
Paddleboard Challenge (Harbour Pontoon)
Come and watch the mayhem unfold with a series of short races and fun SUP challenges taking place around the lifeboat. Showcasing the growing sport of paddleboarding, this promises good fun and enjoyment for spectators and participants alike.
Boat, kayak and surfboard showcase (North Pier)
NBOC’s VW Beetle and campervans display (North Pier)
Gym / Fitness Sessions (North Pier)
RNLI Coastal Safety Roadshow (beside Lifeboat House)
Free advice on safety in and around our coastline, along with free lifejacket checks. Last year we discovered 289 lifejackets that would not have worked had they been used and 70 manufacturers’ recalls.
Lifeboat Tours Past and Present (Harbour Pontoon)
Tours of Portrush Lifeboat, ‘William Gordon Burr’, are subject to emergency response requirements. Historic ‘Joseph Soar’ Lifeboat was withdrawn from service in 1990, throughout her life she was launched 135 times and saved 135 lives.
West Bay Open Water Swim ILDSA (North Pier)
This challenging event attracts entrants from all over Ireland. After the 1pm safety briefing swimmers are dropped off by boat at Island Dhu/Blackrock to swim the 1km back to the harbour, finishing at the slipway on the North Pier. Wetsuits not allowed!
Historic Vehicle Display (Kerr Street Green)
Coleraine & District Historic Vehicle Club present their classic cars and bikes.
Ramore Family Funday (Harbour)
Our sponsors at Ramore Restaurants have another Sunday afternoon of fun planned. This includes Scrufts, a fun dog show and the largest daft gathering of four-legged friends ever seen at the Port; a food, craft and music village and by way of a grand finale, The Great Harbour Escape featuring Irish magician Rodd Hogg.