Welcome to the Chester Raft Race Website
The 2017 Chester Raft Race will be held on Sunday 1st July 2018 at 10.15am.
and the theme this year is Great Sporting Events
The Chester Raft Race is an annual charity event taking place every July in the Groves on the River Dee and organised by the Rotary Club of Chester. The rafts race against the clock over an approximate 400 metre course starting just upriver of the Royal Chester Rowing Club, passing 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 retrace their route back to the launch area on the Meadows.
Last year the event also featured UK Fly-board Champion Jay St John with a spectacular display of fly-boarding right out of 007. He is scheduled to take part again this year with his exciting display at 10.15 before the rafts start their race at 10.30am
Sponsors
If you would like to be a sponsor of our 43nd Charity Raft Race in aid of our main chosen charity and other charities of the Rotary Club of Chester, we should be pleased to discuss the opportunities available.
Please contact us on mail@chesterraftrace.org.uk and we will be in touch.
2017 Results
Most innovative Raft – Top Trump, Peacock Garage
Titanic – Ultimate Sinker – Sproston’s Idiots, Alan sproston
Fatsest Ladies raft – Viking Queens, Bagillt All Stars
Fastest Hostelry Raft – Ye Olde Hickory’s, Hickory’s Smokehouse
Second Fastes Raft – Traitors, Chester Auto Services
Best Themed Raft – Mr Whoppit’s Bluebird, Old Harker’s Arms
Special Mention Theme – Kraken, steve Beetham
Overall fastest Raft – Crocky Wok, crocky Trail
Rotary Club of Chester
President: Brendan Witter
Meet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Trinity St, Chester. 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6.30pm. 2nd and 4th Mondays at 12.50pm.
The Rotary Club of Chester is a friendly organisation with male and female members from the Chester and North Wales area. Please take a look at our website to find out more about what we do. We are a part of Rotary International, which is the world’s largest service organisation of friends, leaders, and problem – solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.
If you are a Rotarian visiting the area, you will be made welcome at one of our meetings.
If you’re interested in joining Chester Rotary Club, please email the address below and we will arrange for you to attend one of our meetings. There are several clubs within the Chester and Cheshire area, and each club has a different profile, but all support projects within their own local area. So if you live outside the Chester area you might want to contact a club in your home area.
email: chesterrotarysec@yahoo.co.uk
Charity
The Chester Raft Race is a Charity event and our Chosen Charity for the 2022 event is the Countess of Chester Hospital - Blue Skies Appeal.
Click the button below to find out about this fantastic campaign and at the raft race.
Gallery
We have been photographing Chester Raft Race since 2013.
Please contact us if you want to use any of our images - or just enjoy the variety of craft that have entered the race during the years!
News
News from the Raft Race Committee
2023 Event Announcement
We're excited to announce that the 2023 Chester Raft Race is coming up on July 2nd, sponsored by Salt Town Contractors Ltd! This fun-filled event is a must-attend for anyone who loves adventure and friendly competition. Not only will you get to test your skills on the...
2022 – 45th Chester Raft Race Revisited
The 45th annual Chester Raft Race, sponsored by Salt Town Contractors, was held on the River Dee on July 3, 2022. The event, organised by Chester Round Table, saw teams of all ages and abilities race homemade rafts along a 2.5 mile course, all in support of the event...
Blue Skies Donation
The last Chester Raft Race was a huge success, not only for the competitors and spectators, but also for a local charity, the Blue Skies Appeal. The Chester Round Table organized the event, which saw dozens of teams compete in various categories along the River Dee....