Chester Raft Race 2024

It’s that time of the year again folks. A quick mention to remind everyone of a great, local annual event being held tomorrow on 30th June, starting at 10am. And that fun event for all the family is the Chester Raft Race 2024. If you haven’t paid a visit down to The Groves before to witness the event, then without a doubt, the Chester Raft Race is an event well worth a visit. However, if you have seen previous year’s races then you will know what I am talking about. It is a lot of fun in ideal settings with loads of laughs thrown in. All those participants taking part on the brilliantly themed, imaginative rafts don’t need much encouragement to get up to some of their dastardly tricks and generally have a good laugh about it all.

So, what’s Chester Raft Race all about? Allow me to bring you up to speed.

Chester Raft Race 2024

Event Details

The Chester Raft Race is a very popular annual charity event that takes place on the River Dee. This year’s is the 47th annual charity event taking place in the Groves on the River Dee. The rafts race against the clock over an estimated course of some 400 metres, starting just upriver of the Royal Chester Rowing Club.

The journey then takes the rafters under the pedestrian Suspension Bridge to a finish on the north bank of the river by Recorder’s Steps to the Walls and just above the weir. Although the race is over at this point, the rafts then have to negotiate the return journey and retrace their route back to the launch area on the Meadows. Ensue more mayhem.

All teams taking part construct their own rafts, so license for a fair amount of creativity no doubt. Some of the rafts look more robust and more river worthy than others. Having such a combination of sturdy and wobbly vessels only adds to the fun it seems. Using some football related jargon, during the race there is plenty of “off the ball” creative tactics taking place. River Dee skullduggery at its finest perhaps.

Every year there is a theme and this year’s theme is TOYBOX. Plenty more information to see on the Chester Raft Race website.

Getting Soaked

No big surprise really to say that anyone taking part should be prepared to get wet. Very wet in fact. Absolutely soaked. But it’s all friendly rivalry. And as it is a race, prizes are awarded. Here’s a list of the category prizes:
Categories:

• Overall Winner
• Ladies Only
• Fastest Raft
• Fastest Hostelry
• Fastest Innovation
• Greenest Raft
• Titanic Ultimate Sinkers Award

An ideal spot to watch the race is from The Groves or the Suspension Bridge. When the race has ended, you can then make your way down to the Meadows where there are food stalls, children’s entertainment, beer, cocktails and plenty more to get involved with.

The event is free to watch, but as it is a charitable event, donations for the chosen charity on the day are very welcome.

Just a short distance from the river, you will find Queens Park High School, where you will find ample parking spaces.

Chester Raft Race 2024 – A Great Day Out

It is a great day out without a doubt and a memorable experience. As in previous years, Chester Raft Race 2024 will no doubt also be a great occasion. Well worth a trip. Why not make a day of it. The race starts at 10am by the way.

To give you a flavour of what to expect, I produced a short video from an earlier year showing some of the best bits. You can see this video here below:

If you are going to pay a visit or are participating, then I hope you enjoy Chester Raft Race 2024.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for reading my latest blog post – Chester Raft Race 2024. A very enjoyable and memorable event.

To see all of my other blog posts on a variety of topics, then visit HERE.

And going off on a complete tangent and as this is Chester related website. Here’s the “help support a local small business” section. 

As This Is A Chester Related Website

As this is a Chester related website, you may be looking for the ideal Chester related gift for your loved ones. If so, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.

Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, a variety of Chester related products to choose from. Like this artwork image of Chester Bandstand in The Groves: