Teams from across Northern Ireland are getting ready to make a splash this weekend and the much-anticipated Portrush Raft Race makes it’s return to the North Coast for 2022.
After being cancelled due to the pandemic over the last two years, organisers have been working hard to ensure the Raft Race makes a comeback bigger and better than ever!
The Raft Race weekend, of course, is all about families so expect to see parachutists, dancers, welly-wanging, stands, stalls, a kids’ zone, music with the Portrush Ukes, a live session with the Renagade Kings and much, much more.
Skydive Ireland will be jumping into the race to get things off to a flying start! The amazing RNLI Portrush crew will put on a special display, demonstrating their lifesaving skills. Spectators can also take advantage of a rare opportunity to board and see RNLI Portrush Severn.
There’s a Junior Raft Race for young people aged 5-15 years, with all rafts and safety equipment provided on the day.
A full programme of events is included below!
Organisers of this weekend's Portrush Raft Race have been overwhelmed by the response from the business community from all over Northern Ireland.
“Whilst Porter and Co were quick to sign up as the main sponsors and expressed delight in doing so, the donations and offers from companies from all over the province who’ve told us they’ve really missed their annual excursion to Portrush for the event have been amazing. To learn that companies, clubs and organisations from over 60 miles away are raising donations and hauling rafts all the way to Portrush for this is very gratifying,” a spokesperson for the event enthused.
The local business community has been equally enthusiastic and this is particularly illustrated with the array of prizes in the various categories of the event.
Just who will win the Best “Fancy dress” Award, the “furthest travelled”, the ‘funniest team” or indeed “the most heroic failure” will be revealed on the day but these and other categories will share an absolute plethora of prizes including Paddleboards, Restaurant vouchers, Mini Golf sessions, bottles of wine, speed boat trips and more.
Compere Brian Moore is determined every contributor and sponsor will get mentions on the day. He said:
“These people have gone through a horrendous two years and to come out the other side and show such generosity is amazing and I’ve no doubt the spectators will make their gratitude apparent on the day”.
All monies raised at the Raft Race Weekend are given to the RNLI who “ring fence” them to maintain the very busy Portrush Lifeboat Station.
For more information or to register your raft, CLICK HERE.
