MadSat Raft Team, based at the BT Satellite Station at Madley, have won the National Raft Race League for the 3rd year running.
This non-profit team, now in it’s 35th year, beat off competition from local crews such as Victory Pirates as well as teams from farther afield such as Vikings from Alcester and Roadford from Devon, to win the Overall category as well as the Ladies and Mixed categories with Vikings winning the Men’s category.
“Super” Raft Racing (as it has become known, to differentiate it from White Water Rafting and Fun Rafts) began in Hereford in the early 80’s with two teams competing over 100 miles on the River Wye.
It has evolved, as have raft designs, to become a highly competitive sport, akin to dragon boat racing, with streamlined vessels competing over 9 races this season.
In addition to those races, which included 21 miles across Loch Ness, MadSat also competed against 300 other water-going vessels in The Great River Race on The Thames, assisted at The Hereford River Festival by dragging the illuminated floats along the Wye at night and also took part in Dragon Boat Racing and Bell Boat racing in Birmingham.
Most importantly, we will have raised between £1,500 and £2,000 for charity through our endeavours.
If anyone would like to know more, would like to have a taster at one of our training sessions, or would be interested in setting up your own team, please contact Nick Wood on 07935 204176 or visit our website, madsat.co.uk.
