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Home > Alternative Sport > Matlock’s quirky Boxing Day Raft Race

Matlock’s quirky Boxing Day Raft Race

By Caroline King - December 18, 2018Posted in : Alternative Sport

Matlock Boxing Day Raft Event When: 26th December 2018 (Boxing Day), from 10am

Where: Matlock, Derbyshire

£: Free to watch. The event is raising money for the R.N.L.I. so donations are most welcome – there will be collection buckets on the day

What is it?

The annual Matlock Raft Race takes place every Boxing Day and is organised by the Derbyshire Association of Sub Aqua Clubs (DASAC), with creatively-minded teams competing in quirky crafts.

This year will be the 57th raft race to be held in Matlock, having originally started all the way back in 1961 with 100 daring rafts taking to the water.

The rafts will enter the water on the River Derwent, Matlock, at 10am and will finish at Cromford Meadows.  The event attracts thousands of spectators who come to cheer on the teams as they race down the river and over the weir.

Matlock Boxing Day Raft Event The course is about four miles long and spectators can watch the race from various points along the river bank.

The Matlock Raft Race aims to raise money for the R.N.L.I. and over the years the association has raised enough money to be able to buy a lifeboat (the Spirit of Derbyshire) and a small inshore rescue lifeboat.

As with all good charity events, participants work hard on their fancy dress and the rafts come in all shapes and sizes.  Past competitors have dressed up as The Muppets, Santa and his Elves, Nuns on the Run, the March of the Penguins, The Flintstones and a crew of pirates complete with ship.

More info: www.facebook.com/matlockraftevent and www.facebook.com/events

Related Posts

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  • Possibly the oldest pram race in the world

Tagged With: Boxing Day events, Christmas events, Derbyshire events, East Midlands, Family events, Free events

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