Saturday’s Maui Dolphin Day got off to an early start with a beach clean-up. Then after the official opening it was music and activities with plenty of kai available form the stalls. Large numbers of people attended with many lined up across the footbridge for the start of the Xtreme Waste Raft Race.
‘Earthrace’ made a strategic decision to go straight across the Opotoru to pick up the fast flowing inward current. The more direct route paid off for Wheels on Water with its technical edge based on recycled spade blades. It made straight for the first buoy just offshore from the museum and after rounding that powered ahead rounding the far buoys. On the downward leg disaster struck with a technical malfunction and a leaking raft. The second placed, ‘Clubbies’ made up some ground, but after repairs ‘Wheels on Water’ got underway again and crossed first under the footbridge to win the prestigious event. ‘Clubbies’ came in second followed in third place by ‘Earthrace’.
After the raft race it was time for more music and activities, followed by a recycled fashion show, the prizegiving. The day finished with, ‘Stand up and Be Counted’, a crowd aerial photo on the beach. Activities and competitions on Maui Dolphin Day raise awareness about this dolphin being critically endangered, while celebrating Raglan’s community and our marine environment. Maui Dolphins are the world’s smallest dolphin. With a cute round dorsal fin, they are easily recognizable. But only the lucky get a chance to see one of the few Mauis left.
