Scouts Aotearoa national commissioner Raani Kelderman called it a fantastic ice breaker.
More than 200 scouts and kaiārahi (leaders) from 14 scout groups in the upper North Island region started the boating season with the 48th Alistair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta at Lake Ngā Roto on Saturday.
Boating, paddling (kayaking) and water safety are three of the adventure skills offered to all youth members by the Scouts Aotearoa Youth Programme. Not just the traditional Sea Scout groups.
Youth competed in Sunbursts, Scout Standard Cutters and kayaks in junior, intermediate and senior races.
Regattas are typically highly competitive events, but the late Kerr had a different vision in 1972. He wanted to start the season with a fun get together where scouts could learn from their mistakes with no pressure to win.
Kerr’s son Roddy, a scout when the regatta started, attended the event.