The third annual SeaFM Build a Boat regatta brought together a delightful mix of quirky, imaginative, and downright chaotic homemade vessels at Golden Beach on Saturday, 26 October.
Sponsored by Supports By Design and hosted by SeaFM drive show personalities Elly and Taz, the top prize of $2,000 went to Team Origami for their sleek wooden canoe – expertly navigated by school kayaking champion Sophie.
Elly Chaney from SeaFM described the event as her “passion project” that gets bigger and better each year.
“Having the Regatta return was incredible—it’s such a feel-good, family-friendly event, and the creativity displayed by Sunny Coasters exceeded our wildest imaginations,” Ms. Chaney said.
“The boats were far more impressive than my own, which was made entirely of milk cartons and had questionable buoyancy.”
Teams built their boats in advance, with one to five crew members paddling along the shores of Golden Beach in heats and a grand finale.
“Origami sliced through the water beautifully, and we also awarded prizes for Most Creative, Best Crew, Best Looking, and Runner Up boats,” she said.
Special recognition went to “Rise of the Quacken,” which won Best Looking Boat for its giant papier mâché kraken emerging from the top while still tearing through the water swiftly.
