The Heathcote River Race – part of the St Martins River Day event – was held on 1 March, and attracted 70 craft, mostly home-made.

The large majority of the rafts stayed intact and made it to the finish line, a kilometre downriver at Hansen’s Park.

Organised by the St Martins Community Youth Centre in conjunction with Christchurch City Council Leisure, the event was primarily funded by the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board, and was well supported by the local community.

It was great to see the number of rafts that had been decorated in imaginative and colourful ways.

There were some very innovative craft on the water.