These are images from the year 2000 and 2001 Raft Races, taken with Fujifilm consumer-level cameras. The Calgary Bow River Raft Race was photographed from Bowness Park to the halfway point at Edworthy Park, where the crews break for lunch and entertainment. After the start the rafts drift eastwards on the Bow River and go under the 85th St Bridge, where they face the first of several crowds anxious to dump buckets of water on suitable targets, i.e. everyone.
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Crews assembled at Bowness Park in northwest Calgary on 19 August 2001, ready for the 11am start of the 19th annual race. Actually, it's not so much a race as a river party with continual water fights. As you will see from the photographs, there is also a relaxed attitude regarding the definition of a raft. A lot of people put in an impressive amount of hard work to build rafts of all shapes and sizes, making this event an excellent crowd-pleaser, (not to mention a lot of fun for the crews). The race is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and raises money for charity.
A few minutes from the start, the rafts pass under the Bowmont Bridge just above where the CP Rail tracks cross the river near 77th St. There follows a relatively quiet period while rafts drift past Bowmont Park on their left. Then, appropriately, it's round the bend southwards to line up for the James Hextall footbridge, where a very spirited crowd stands ready with buckets and water guns filled to capacity. This is one of the shallowest parts of the course and several rafts run aground. After this tricky patch, its under the TransCanada Highway bridge and round the bend again to resume the easterly course past Shouldice Park. All too soon the footbridge at Edworthy Park looms, and panic sets in as crews struggle to reach the south bank, where lunch, a hot tub and entertainment await them.
Peter Reath
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