River Festival
The River Festival was held in Athlone on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July. On the Saturday the IWAI Athlone Branch were asked to partake in a sail past. The boats gathered in Hodson Bay and followed the Viking Boat on a procession into the Quay wall outside Seans Bar, arriving at 5pm. The sun shone down on us all as we arrived and the weather thankfully stayed good for the day.
Guinness and Oysters were served on the Quay wall along with a stage with live music. The boats stayed for the night on the Quay wall where a sing song ensued.
On the Sunday, several events were organised including a Junior Fishing Competition, Sailing Demos, Rowing Races and Vintners Barrell Races. Following these events an RNLI raft race was organised. The rafts were all launched from the Sub Aqua club and made their way down to the starting line at the Boat Club. The IWAI Athlone Branch submitted a raft which worked really well. The Raft Race was followed by a Sub Aqua Club Demo and a spectacular Flyboarding Demo.
The weekend was rounded up with RNLI Soapbox Derby outside the front of Seans Bar. A huge crowd of local people and boat owners turned out to watch the race which was brillinat fun. It is hoped for next year the the IWAI Athlone Branch will also be able to submit a Soapbox for this Derby. Anyone who wishes to submit a design can do so to the branch Secretary Birgitte on secretary.athloneiwai@hotmail.com
