County Down Clubs over the past few weeks were busy designing and building rafts, under rule conditions, to race in what is one of the most enjoyable evenings organised by County Down Young Farmers', in aid of a very worthwhile cause - the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution.)
Junior and Senior clubs from County Down turned out in force to participate in the competition and raise funds for the lifeboat charity.
After a safety check and reading of the rules, clubs dashed to the shoreline with their rafts to complete the course in the quickest time. Competitors were asked to race their rafts out to a set of buoys' where judges/lifeguards from Newtownards Sailing Club watched attentively to ensure all rafts rowed around the buoys' before returning to shore.
Once back at shore, team members had to carry their rafts out of the water before running with their paddles to the finishing line at the club house.
All teams did extremely well with no rafts sinking before the finish line. Annaclone and Magherally YFC were the coveted winners of the senior race with Spa YFC coming in a close second. A well deserved first place in the junior race went to Hillhall YFC with Spa and Ballywalter YFC's coming second and third respectively.
Throughout the race crowds of county members, family and friends turned out to cheer on the teams in what was a very enjoyable and successful evening for all who attended. . A cheque will be presented to the RNLI from County Down Young Farmers' in the coming weeks.
The County Down Committee would like to thank Newtownards sailing club for the use of their premises and expertise in organising of tide times for the event and to Donaghadee Young Farmers for providing the BBQ on the evening for all who attended.