Antibes charity raft race returns after a six-year hiatus

The Antibes Raft Race – a charity raft race between local businesses, yachts and individuals – will return to Port Vauban this weekend, in association with bluewater, Mover Shaker International and Port Vauban to raise money for charity.

Set to take place on the 14^th April 2018, the race will be the first of its kind since 2012, when 22 rafts battled their way across the port to raise £26,000 to support charities Encompass, a youth development and peace-building charity, and Les Restaurants du Coeur, a welfare organisation which distributes meals to those in need.

The very first Antibes Raft Race took place in 1981, followed by 1985, before becoming an official non-profit-making association in the late eighties. It has since taken place in the years of 1990, 1994, 1996 and 2002.

The non-profit association said, “[This year] we are excited to be working with bluewater, Mover Shaker International and Port Vauban to deliver this historic and totally bonkers event in Antibes.”

The community event is entirely not-for-profit, with all monies raised in the 2018 event going to charities SNSM Lifeboat and Restos du Coeur.

The port will open to the public at 11:00am, with the race commencing at 1:00pm. All companies participating are building their own raft, which must not be motorised. They must sail around the port completing activities along the way for the chance to win one of 10 awards up for grabs, including “Biggest Cheat”, “Raft We’d Least Like to Insure”, “Most Entertaining Crew” and "Speedy Gonzales - The Fastest Raft in Town", sponsored by Nautica Assistance.

2012's race winners were Jase and Sam from M/Y Sirocco aboard ‘Banana Raft’. ‘Team Big Fish’ captained by Ben Whitlock of M/Y Julia, and ‘Spandex Superyacht Heros’ by Gary Morton of Mover Shaker International, were close runners up.

Speaking about the 2018 race, Antibes Raft Race Association said, “We have many big names signed up as rafters, sponsors, service providers, volunteers and generous donators, such as, Worth Avenue, Edmiston, bluewater, YPI, Hill Robinson, Frasers, Ocean Independence, Sturge Taylor, Sunseeker, Riviera Yacht Support, Heineken, Colgans, The Blue Lady, Banana Bar, Port Vauban, Monaco Marine and many more.”

Tickets for the prize-giving and evening party are available to purchase now from the Blue Lady, Edmiston Monaco, and Hill Robinson and bluewater offices in Antibes.

For more information, visit The Antibes Raft Race.