This is the official home of the infamous bath tub race held annually in Arundel, West Sussex.
Teams of two or more race a mile up the River Arun in home made boats built from, you guessed it – a bathtub. The Bathtub Race is a popular summer event in aid of charity and anyone is welcome to join! Check out the rules and send us your entry form.
A message from your Organiser.
What an awesome day!
We now know what 36 teams and 132 people on the River Arun in bathtubs look like! That’s the biggest race ever at The Black Rabbit!
I’ve not quite got my got my breath back, and am still covered in bruises, but would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone, whether on the organisational side, or as competitors. The crazy craft and colourful costumes were really outstanding this year, and everyone contributed to a fantastic carnival atmosphere.
Special thanks must go to: my right hand man and great mate Graham Smallbones for constant support, and taking a day off work to build the slipway!; Mum, Dad, Debbie, and Steve for Admin, Scrutineering and general Event Management; Erik Jack for his D.J. and P.A. skills; and arguably most important of all, Arun Yacht Club and Littlehampton Sea Cadets for the Safety Boats.
Everyone thoroughly deserved their trophies, most of which went to first time entrants, and Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice were very popular winners. The Fundraising Manager, Ali Unsted, describes their tin ware as “the most enormous trophy in the universe”, and it will be a source of pride and joy to life limited children in the home.
I normally spend the day at 100 miles an hour and miss most of it, but thanks to the later tide time, the day was a bit more relaxed and I managed to speak to most teams and exhibitors. Although not racing this year, I was able to appreciate everyone’s wacky racers from the relative civility of my kayak. I was then, inevitably, accused of cheating by almost everyone! Thanks to Jo and her Starboard Media team, nobody need miss anything as there’s a huge gallery to enjoy and a DVD coming soon.
Once again The Beresford pub built an unforgettable entry in the form of a Roman chariot pulled by 7 mounted Gladiators. I have already heard their plans for next year, and yes it will be bigger! Equally unforgettable were the lovely Spirit FM Baywatch girls, who gave competitors a rousing chorus of the Baywatch theme tune whilst paddling! Thank you for all that fantastic publicity, Helen and Milly!
Wandering around The Black Rabbit bumping into Knights, Old Age Paddlers, a tennis tournament, Naughty But Nice ladies, Ninjas, big game hunters and NASA astronauts etc, etc, is a great way to spend a Saturday if you ask me, and I hope you’ll all join me again next year. The 2011 race will also mark my 10th year of organising this event – boy are we going to have a party!
Cheers,
Martin.
