This year the Antibes Raft Race will take place on April 21. You don't have to be a yachtie to turn up for some family fun and contribute to some well-deserved charities.
THE HISTORYIn a note to the 1977 edition of ‘The Boatswain's Manual’ (c) 1977 Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd., Glasgow, which he revised, Captain A.G.W. Miller wrote: "The changes in ships and seamanship continue and some men will complete their careers at sea in ships where very little of the old style seamanship is required. `M' Notices and British Standards leave little scope for the personal touch but I hope that there is still an interest in the job which goes beyond mere regulations."

Following a gap of a few years, the race was resurrected by Gary Morton and a new organising committee roped in with Jamie & Christine Beirne and Sally Finbow. Gary attended to the proper creation and registration of the Antibes Raft Race Association as a non-profit-making Association at the local Sub-Prefecture in Grasse under the provisions of the Law of 1901. The course and the few rules were continually changed (often at the last moment), and most of the more recent races held in 1994 and 1996 proved so popular that the 1998 race was planned to be held a little later - in May - so as to give crews returning from the Caribbean the chance to compete (and give all the raft crews warmer water when they fell in the Port). In true Raft Race tradition, things fell apart at the last moment, and the actual race was not held - although the evening bash - The Hollywood Party - was a great success.

Each raft was built by the crews of some of the largest yachts in the world. The standard of construction and ingenuity of the crews employed is to be marvelled at and demonstrates that ‘the old style of seamanship’ is well understood and that jury rigging has reached almost an art form. The race took place ‘around lunchtime’ and was followed by an evening gala disco featuring 'The Yachtbreakers' (Antibes own popular band) held in the hall under the helipad at the International Yacht Club d'Antibes in Antibes Port. There were raffle draws (with raffle prizes cajoled from local businesses) and the prize-giving for the different categories of winners (best raft, best cheat, best dressed crew, first raft home etc).
The judges (an esteemed bunch of ladies and gentlemen which has included such notables as Joe Russell, Chris Jones, Nick Sturge, Mike Meade, Nick Myers, Peter Insull, David Skellon, Sue Filer, David Dyer, Jane Hardy, Barry Piggin, Caroline Volmerange, Geoff Marsh, Kenny Minns, John Morris and other local yachtsmen who work for a free hat) let it be known early in the proceedings that cash bribes can influence the final decision. All proceeds from the event were donated to local charities and the association S.C.A.M.T. - a non-governmental humanitarian aid association which sent medical equipment and supplies to Bosnia. The Antibes Raft Race was the traditional start to the Summer Season, as well as raising useful money for charity. In 1996 - an amazing FF 90,000 was raised. It was a great day out to take part, or just watch, and certainly demonstrated "an interest in the job which goes beyond mere regulations".
Website : http://www.raftrace.net/
Information :
Antibes Raft Race Association
8 Avenue Mirabeau,
06600 Antibes,
France.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(A non-profit making Association registered at Grasse under the Law of 1st July, 1901 - No: W061002809)
Donations :
http://www.raftrace.net/bank_info.htm
