History

7 Lakes Country Park © Gary Smith 2010

Unfortunately we have very little accurate information to go on regarding how many years the annual Raft Race ran for up to it ceasing in 1984. However we do know that the banks of the lake were crowded with onlookers and it became a huge local event bringing together villagers from Ealand & Crowle. Their are photos of the event featured in several books detailing the history of the locality but very little information on dates.

If you or any of your family members have any information then please contact us through the contact page then we can fill in the gaps and bring the history up to date.

The Raft Race History

1984

Send in your photos

If you have any photos of past Raft Races then we would like to feature them here. Please make contact here.

We have it on good authority that this is the The River Don Pub from Eastoft entry in the 1984 Raft Race ‘Dons Dolphin’ with Steff Cross, Gerry Barnard & Ray Stringwell.

The modern event came about in May 2009 after maybe a few too many beers in the Lakeside Bar one night when Roy Arrand from Ealand and several other regulars were reminiscing to Gary Smith about the good old days and the raft race on the large Clearwater Lake everyone used to enjoy.

Gary promised to resurrect the event and Saturday 25th July 2009 was chosen. With the help of Paul Hope, Colin Sellars, Dan Jarred & Cherrill Halkyard the race day was quickly planned.

Everyone was taken by surprise how many people turned out in the glorious weather to witness what was a great day. With Paul Hope taking on the commentators role at the last minute it really was a day for the local community to enjoy and get involved in.