Friday, November 23, 2007

Get In One


Use whatever motor power you have to get to Oamaru harbour this Sunday, December 2.
From 9 o'clock in the morning you'll see men, women and children racing and at play in coracles.
This year's grand Southern Hemisphere coracle race is set to test the wits of the Waitaki District's wiliest boatmen and women.
Organisers have planned coracle jousting as the fun part of the day.
John Baster and Adam Ardouin are keeping to the format of last year's race.
Registration is at 9am, followed by children's races, the race for the cash prize, and coracle jousting.
Friendly Bay, Oamaru harbour's northern beach, will be the place where extreme sports and DIY collide.
Already the likes of local media personalities The Mikes are kicking sand about in readiness for the race.
Radio Network Classic Hits show host Mike Plant (pictured at right in coracle, being schooled by John Baster) has taken to the water already and is keen to race.
Ardgowan School pupils have cranked up the coracle assembly line and are turning out more coracles than you can shake a paddle at.
You have three days left to build one.
Instructions for building a coracle can be found at Oamaru Public Library on Thames Street. Or talk to the organisers about nabbing a ready-made frame for covering before Sunday morning.
A note for novices: A coracle is a small shovel-shaped boat of ancient design, better known to Britons than most New Zealanders.
It is used for fishing and recreation on many United Kingdom rivers, the names of which are to be found on many Oamaru streets.
So hang a right at the bottom of Wansbeck Street and see what you can find.

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