Sponsored Raft Race on the Sheffield Canal

[Albert T Smith]

Does anyone have any recollections about a 'Team Relay Raft Race'.

It was held on the Sheffield Canal between Greenland Rd/Broughton Lane and the Canal Basin on the May Day Sunday Bank Holiday during the 1980 - 90s

 

Albert T Smith

[flyer]

I remember raft race in the late 40s i thought it was put on by the uni?

[WallBuilder]

One of my friends took part in this distinctly unusual race one year. Different companies in the city entered 'craft' which had four people on them. My friend worked for Richards and they didn't do too badly even when they started to sink where the canal was a lovely shade of orange. All the rafts were ramshackle constructions and the winner only won because there's was basically a canoe [real one] with a few weedy outriggers and so scarcely ramshackle.

[Bikertec]

I remember the student raft race down the Don must have been the early 70's, god the river then was soooooo poluted. God help em when they fell in and most did. :hihi:

[Birty]

There always used to be a boat race by the uni students on the Don in the afternoon after the Rag parade in town. Dont think they do either now or print the rag mag which we all used to buy for the corny jokes.

those were the days!

[Bikertec]

There always used to be a boat race by the uni students on the Don in the afternoon after the Rag parade in town. Dont think they do either now or print the rag mag which we all used to buy for the corny jokes.

those were the days!

I think the students are too busy getting drunk these days. :hihi: Just wait for all the complaints from the students now. :hihi:

[Albert T Smith]

The Student Race was held on the River Don. It started from Hillfoot Bridge if I remember correctly, finishing at Ladies Bridge. (I believe this is the oldest land mark in Sheffield. (The Bridge of Our Mary?)).

The Sponsored Raft Race was held on the Sheffield Canal on May Day Bank Holiday Sunday.

[Rocklegend]

Not too sure but I think the last year of these races was 1985.Cant recall it after that.Pity they cant bring it back.Like the old Pub Hunts (Wards,Smiths etc),they both seemed to end in the mid80's.

[Wadsleyite]

The students' boat race was one of the best free shows in Sheffield and as much a part of Rag Day as the "Twikker". There was only one rule - each "boat" had to cost less than a certain amount to build. I think it was a victim of the "Elf 'n' Safety" brigade.

[me-and-pippo]

I remember some of the Rag Day boat races very well, i worked at the side of Lady's Bridge.

Rafts supported by oil drums, enamel baths held afloat with polystyrene blocks. It was a good laugh seeing the students wading about in the River Don, most were scantily dressed in nighties bras or pyjamas and that was both sexes.