BOMBING WEEK - Royal New Zealand Air Force

OH 06-0066-39
OHAKEA’S INTERNATIONAL
RAFT RACE
CPL WARREN MANT
OH 06-0066-34
OH 06-0066-13
www.airforce.mil.nz
The ninjas from No. 42 Squadron.
The Supply team from Ireland rounding the fi rst buoy.
The rastaraftians: the Admin team from Jamaica.
AFN69, APRIL 06
Intelligence, strength and teamwork were needed for optimal performance
when six ten-person Air Force teams competed at Ohakea’s International
Raft Race at Duddings Lake on 22 February. The teams were given suffi cient
tyres, planks and ropes to make themselves a raft that would hold fi ve team
members. Twenty minutes was allocated for this task.
The race was structured so fi ve team members from each team raced
the fi rst lap around a set course, their times recorded, then the remaining
team members raced a second lap and the times added together for an
overall time and placing.
Once rafts had been made and fl oat tested (other than the Supply team
who were more concerned about the safety of their 5000 water bombs)
the race was started by Base Commander WGCDR Bosch.
An even start saw fi ve teams neck and neck around the fi rst mark -
HOWEVER LAC Tuck Roberts team from S & S representing the Australian
Natives, using paddles made by international paddle maker CPL Jade
Morgan PTI had dropped back considerably. The fi rst two around the
second mark were 42 SQN Ninjas from Japan and Supply’s little green
people from Ireland, with Admin (the rasterraftians from Jamaica), Avionics
(representing Tajikistan) and MT/Photographers (Tie Land) fi ghting for third
spot. In a photo fi nish for the fi rst lap 42 SQN got home by one second
from Supply. Admin 3rd, Avionics and MT/ Photographers were in a photo
for 4th. LACs John Tepania and Darren Pullen worked hard - in very short
stints - on the S & S craft but could not bridge the gap and they fi nish well
back in last place.
After some clarifi cation of the rules, the second leg started in spectacular
style with Supply’s CPL Mel Mikaere driving her crew round the fi rst mark in
the lead. Once 42 SQN turned their raft around the right way they negotiated
the fl eet to peg the lead back rounding the fi nal mark. Into the fi nal 100m of
the race 42 SQN looked to have the better line but a barrage of water bombs
from Supply’s artillery slowed their progress and Supply came across the
line one second clear of their rivals. Senior staff for Admin led by example
with FLT LT Rudy Ruardy and W/O Nicci Simpson however more effort by
Admin CPLs and below may have elevated them into a higher fi nishing
position! S & S second leg crew worked much better as a unit than their
fi rst leg counterparts but design defi ciencies hindered their speed and they
crossed in 4th. LAC Jonty Beetham’s Tajikistan crew may have been to light
for the conditions with many sporting streamlined frames after losing many
kgs of body weight in preparation for the event, fi nishing the second leg
in 5th spot. MT/Photo came last in the second leg as LAC Bumper Netana
attempted to propel their raft using his laugh alone.
Upon collating the results and perusal of the state of the art timing system
used, a dead heat was ruled between Supply and 42 SQN. To determine
an out right winner, a fi nal sprint around the fi rst marker and back to shore
was ruled. 42 Squadron’s controversial acquisition of long shafted paddles
from Admin (which was acceptable within the rules) proved the difference
with the Ninjas comfortably taking the title from Supply.
Overall results were 1st - 42 SQN, 2nd Supply, 3rd Admin, 4th Avionics,
5th MT/Photographers, 6th S & S
No mishaps on the day other than SGT Gavin Kotua (paddling a safety
kayak) nearly needing rescuing when he tipped out after attempting a
manoeuvre only a young man should attempt. He showed good strength
to get back on the kayak and was under the impression his embarrassing
spill had not been noticed.
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