2023 Lewes To Newhaven Raft Race

In 2023, forty years after our first daring attempt, we returned to the legendary Lewes to Newhaven Raft Race. The brief was to create a movie‑themed raft, and with the much‑anticipated Minecraft film in production, we chose this globally loved game as our inspiration.

The raft was built from 12 high‑density polystyrene moulded boxes. Some served as wells for our feet, while others, including a lidded section which became dry storage for our belongings. The design was simple but effective: curved bottoms gave the raft a catamaran‑like form, helping it cut through the water more smoothly. Once the structure was complete, we decorated it to resemble the pixelated world of Minecraft. Clear acrylic poles held up themed signs, while two character figures stood proudly on deck. We even armed ourselves with handmade shields, hoping they’d protect us from the notorious barrage awaiting us on the river.

As the race began, the atmosphere quickly descended into chaos. From the bridges above, spectators unleashed mystery liquid missiles, probably whatever they’d found lurking at the back of their kitchen cupboards. The concoctions splashed down in sticky waves, joined by flour clouds and eggs that battered our raft from every angle. Despite our clever defences, the shields did little to stop the messy assault. Yet we pressed on, paddling with determination and laughter, refusing to let the chaos break our spirit.

Two hours and thirty‑five minutes later, we crossed the finish line, battered, soaked, but triumphant. Our efforts earned us a respectable fifth place on the podium. The true triumph, however, came when we were awarded Best Decorated Raft, a title we were proud to reclaim. Even better, our adventure raised nearly £600 for Bowel Cancer UK, turning a day of creativity, resilience, and fun into something truly meaningful.

Please see below for a short video and montage of images showing how we built the boat, along with highlights from the race itself.