Southend Raft Race – Thorpe Bay, Essex – 25 June 2017

Last run in the 1990s, the Raft Race returned for 2017. Various amateur teams built their own rafts and raced from Thorpe Bay, east of Southend town, on a short course in the Thames Estuary . The event organised by Thorpe Bay Rotary Club raised funds for various charities including the local RNLI, who supplied cover for the event. Strong winds and choppy seas made the going hard with few vessels making the finish line, and some travelled further backwards than forwards! One group winning raft had local Olympian Dean Macey amongst the crew, but the overall win went to the Watchcraft team.