Australia Day saw the first land boat race held in the Camden Haven. Handmade from bamboo, fabric, gaffa tape and zip ties, the rafts were human-powered, Fred Flintstone-style. 

The children’s race was won by a team of mates who called themselves “The Daggers”. Watch the footage of the race, story continues below.

Camden Haven’s Hockey Club took out the adults race. Puffing and panting in the post-race interview the team said they had put at least five minutes preparation into executing the win.

The dry land boat race looks set to become a feature event on Australia Day. Organisers are preparing for the 2018 event with plans afoot to have competitors run an obstacle course over a longer distance, with the constant threat of water bombs being hurled at them at every turn.