First ever Bridge to Bridge event

The first ever Bridge to Bridge event has been a resounding success!

The Wellspring Anglican longboat and crew

This 'row in company,' (not a race!) down the Derwent River from the New Norfolk Bridge to Bridgewater was organised by Mission Afloat to benefit the New Norfolk community as it celebrated 200 years of settlement at the Derwent Valley Festival on the Esplanade, on Sunday April 6th.

After a row-past, heralded by cannon fire, the flotilla rowed down river to Granton, where free tea and coffee and a chance to relax by the river refreshed the rowers before the last lap to Bridgewater.

Eighteen rowing craft of all shapes and sizes took part: classic longboats with crew in period costume, kayaks and canoes, outrigger craft, small dinghies and of course the dragon boats, manned (sorry, womanned) by enthusiastic pink-clad ladies with a drummer to keep stroke!

This was a wonderful event and will continue next year... perhaps with a politician in each boat, or a footballer maybe!

And hereís a challenge: what about an entry from each parish next year?í

Allister Martin
Mission Afloat