Menai straits raft race 24-5-15

[The Binman]

A heads up for anyone who finds themselves in the vicinity of the Straits this weekend. The Menai Bridge Raft race starts in Felinheli (Port Dinorwic) at midday on Sunday and runs through the infamous Swellies under the bridges on full flow finishing in Menai Bridge! (The fast guys are doing it in about 40 minutes (eat your heart out Kwacker!) but most are in it for fun with water bombs etc!!

We expect around 40 rafts entered of all sizes and shapes. (A raft is probably the best way of navigating the notorious rips and whirlpools through the bridges as anyone who knows them will tell you!) And they will all be paddling like crazy, some will be wind assisted and one (naughty people!) might have an outboard secreted somewhere!

Its a great annual spectacle and raises lots of money for many charities.

If you are around its well worth checking it out.

Loads of safety boats are out for the race (identified with a yellow flag and found on Channel 69) to ensure that everyone has fun.

Give us a shout if you are around:encouragement::encouragement:

 

[AndieMac]

Hope the event goes well Binman, it's been just a year now when I was taken through the Swellies from Port Dinorwic by Kwacka in his RIB, great fun! Please post some photos from the fun and games!

 

[The Binman]

I certainly will AndieMac! Kwacka's company, Seawake, always support us well with safety boats and are indeed a major sponsor of the event! Get on a plane and join us, Ill make sure you get a more leisurely ride this time on a raft!!

 

[Kawasaki]

I certainly will AndieMac! Kwacka's company, Seawake, always support us well with safety boats and are indeed a major sponsor of the event! Get on a plane and join us, Ill make sure you get a more leisurely ride this time on a raft!!

We is trainin Sunday so the MOB gig should be a good un plus we can do some towing practice an all innit
Is the finish at the Pier? cos I heard it was off limits fer works to be completed like

 

[The Binman]

Kwacker!!

We have stationed ourselves on Princes Wharf now in front of the heritage centre, (By the main slipway) plenty of stalls eg coffee, icecream, donuts, Womens Institute, bouncy castles etc. Finish is in front of the wharf (Usual thing, go past and paddle back thru to get the back eddy)

See you out there Kwacks. Should be a good day again! 40 rafts and a bank holiday. Weather I'm not sure! I am getting in a supply of thermal blankets!

 

[BruceK]

That was a hoot! Well done to all the rafters and a very impressive turnout. What was really amazing was we let all the rafters get off to a good and safe start and then cruised up the Menai at about 4 mph and still the lead bunch beat us to the finish. A great effort by all :encouragement:
Pity about the nut jobs on the jetski and skiboat and the yobs hurling stuff down off the bridge. I think we got peed on returning under the bridge to Dinorwic. Would have loved a nice 4:10 loaded with rock salt. But that's a bygone era. Mybe kwakers has one in the back of his garage somewhere :disgust:

 

[Kawasaki]

That was a hoot! Well done to all the rafters and a very impressive turnout. What was really amazing was we let all the rafters get off to a good and safe start and then cruised up the Menai at about 4 mph and still the lead bunch beat us to the finish. A great effort by all :encouragement:
Pity about the nut jobs on the jetski and skiboat and the yobs hurling stuff down off the bridge. I think we got peed on returning under the bridge to Dinorwic. Would have loved a nice 4:10 loaded with rock salt. But that's a bygone era. Mybe kwakers has one in the back of his garage somewhere :disgust:

As it happens the first weapon I owned was a 4/10
Bloody funny, I tried to down a Peasant near Rhuddlan in the Vale of Clwyd ( sorry a Pheasant) in me yewth, with the gun mentioned.
Said bird had cowered in a thicket as me 'gun dog' ('Skip' The half breed Mongrel) had barked/ chased said occasionally flier into said hiding place
When the aviating meal eventually braved it's Hunters I cocked my weapon (Cripes could get banned for here, for Porn!) and aimed at the nervous mouthful
Now for those that don't know the 4/10 was a singled barrel 'shotgun' as it were
Where I was (suitably camouflaged for hunting) wearing My dungerhires, I had restricted movement and the flying fowl had the advantage
Nevertheless, I got a shot off
Whereupon the feathered target turned like as swiftly as a Formula power boat caught by the wind!!! in the wrong direction !!!
As a keen eyed youngster (in 1949) I managed to 'Wing' said portential meal and Me dog helped by launching Himself at the wounded game bird
To enable Me reload and fire at the semi stricken gastronomic treat ahead
I think I fired three cartridges into the frightened supper!
Which was born out by my Mum as She tried to enjoy the tender flesh of the fowl
'K- u daft 'person'' She said, tiss only the size of a chicken, why did u discharge 3 barrels into it'?
'There is more lead in her than yer Dad's pencil'!
It took me 30 years to realise what Mum was on about!
Oh! by the way
The 4/10 could very well be in the back of My Garage!

 

[BruceK]

That's right rub it in ya old barsteward. And for those in Vicky Dock who had to put their champers down and run for a fender, I never hit anybody, was only testing your wits. You all passed btw.

 

[Kawasaki]

That's right rub it in ya old barsteward. And for those in Vicky Dock who had to put their champers down and run for a fender, I never hit anybody, was only testing your wits. You all passed btw.

 

[HenryEDM]

This photo was taken from my mooring moments before deciding to drop it and get out of the way. With tide dragging them toward me and their varying degrees of control i was definitely better off out of there. Great entertainment though and the weather even played ball later on to make for a fab day. Well done to all those who took part and to the organisers.

 

[TSB240]

Sounds like you all had a good time!
There are loads of Pics on FB from the NW Mob.
We had Rescue 122 come over us from Aber Menai on its way to cover the raft race.
Also some nutters were reneacting napoleonic stuff at Fort Belan and I got the shock of my life when they fired a ruddy great cannon.

Big bang and lots of Smoke Luckily no Lead Shot though Rich!

 

[BruceK]

The Admiral must have caused their page to exceed acceptable storage quotas the amount of photos she uploaded. Still I'm sure there will be a few some might like. Never does things by half the missus. If she ever invites you for a Chili Con Carne plead off and do a runner.

 

[AndieMac]

As it happens the first weapon I owned was a 4/10
Bloody funny, I tried to down a Peasant near Rhuddlan in the Vale of Clwyd ( sorry a Pheasant) in me yewth, with the gun mentioned.
Said bird had cowered in a thicket as me 'gun dog' ('Skip' The half breed Mongrel) had barked/ chased said occasionally flier into said hiding place
When the aviating meal eventually braved it's Hunters I cocked my weapon (Cripes could get banned for here, for Porn!) and aimed at the nervous mouthful
Now for those that don't know the 4/10 was a singled barrel 'shotgun' as it were
Where I was (suitably camouflaged for hunting) wearing My dungerhires, I had restricted movement and the flying fowl had the advantage
Nevertheless, I got a shot off
Whereupon the feathered target turned like as swiftly as a Formula power boat caught by the wind!!! in the wrong direction !!!
As a keen eyed youngster (in 1949) I managed to 'Wing' said portential meal and Me dog helped by launching Himself at the wounded game bird
To enable Me reload and fire at the semi stricken gastronomic treat ahead
I think I fired three cartridges into the frightened supper!
Which was born out by my Mum as She tried to enjoy the tender flesh of the fowl
'K- u daft 'person'' She said, tiss only the size of a chicken, why did u discharge 3 barrels into it'?
'There is more lead in her than yer Dad's pencil'!
It took me 30 years to realise what Mum was on about!
Oh! by the way
The 4/10 could very well be in the back of My Garage!

Haha, classic Kwacka, nice work Rich!

Hope you are well mate, cheers!

 

[AndieMac]

This photo was taken from my mooring moments before deciding to drop it and get out of the way. With tide dragging them toward me and their varying degrees of control i was definitely better off out of there. Great entertainment though and the weather even played ball later on to make for a fab day. Well done to all those who took part and to the organisers.

View attachment 51846

The rafts look quite sophisticated, rafting events that I've seen usually amount to a bunch of old tractor tubes or forty-four gallon drums strapped together, which eventually manage to disassemble themselves before the end of the race.

 

[BruceK]

The rafts look quite sophisticated, rafting events that I've seen usually amount to a bunch of old tractor tubes or forty-four gallon drums strapped together, which eventually manage to disassemble themselves before the end of the race.

I believe the only one that sank, to be verified, was from Bangor Uni. The crew of the Prince Madoc must be bubbling over with outrage

 

[The Binman]

I believe the only one that sank, to be verified, was from Bangor Uni. The crew of the Prince Madoc must be bubbling over with outrage

Im glad you all enjoyed it! It's a great day and this year we raised a record amount for charity! The rafts come in all shapes and sizes! As scrutineer and coordinator for the safety boat it's a tricky thing to make sure everyone has fun but there are no disasters. Basically, the raft has to get down the straights and if it does break up there should be enough flotation and big bits to hold on to until a safety boat can get to you! This year we had 15 ( official) safety boats, 2 doctors and 2 paramedics looking after things. Bear in mind there were 295 people in the race.
The guys from the uni were building the raft on the green in felin and we pointed out that it's open hull ply construction could do with a bit of flotation. (Even though it had been tested on padarn lake and had two inches of freeboard!)
A few fenders were found at the sailing club and it managed to get all the way to Menai bridge before the wash from some excited motor later swamped it!
Lots of action from safety boats and cheering from the spectators!