14A — The Prince George Citizen — July 29, 1987
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Sheiks of Arabi enjoy the thrill of last year’s Simon Fraser Days raft race.
  Ethnic theme for raft race
  The fourth annual Simon Fraser Days raft race promises to be buckets of fun, says race chairman Paul Huot.
 “Everybody thoroughly enjoys themselves. A good time is had by all. If you don’t enjoy yourself it’s your own fault,” he said.
  This year’s race, held on Sunday, will wind its way 30 kilometres down the Nechako River from Wilkins Point to Hudson Bay Slough. Huot -taid about -40 rafts are entered in the event, which has an ethnic theme this vear.
  The race, sponsored by Labatt’s, can take anywhere from two to four hours depending on how hard the earns paddles, he said.
  “It can take a while if they lon’t row like the competi-ors. A lot of them just kind >f coast down,” he said.
  Huot said between four and
six river boats with radios will be on hand in case any rafts sink, adding all participants have to wear life jackets. “And we tell them not to drink too much,” he added, chuckling.
  He said people who arrive for the race drunk will not be allowed to compete.
  Huot said the day starts off with a pancake breakfast at
7	a.m. in Wilkins Regional Park hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Boats will be put in the water at 9 a.m. and the race will start at 11 a.m. for fun entrants and noon for competitive racers.
  Huot said people are urged to come out and watch this unique event. The Foothills and Nechako bridges are good vantage points, he added.
  Raft rules stipulate that rafts must be built from logs and have a plastic garbage container on board, firmly
secured to the vessel. Rafts may be between 20 and 24 feet long and between eight and 10 feet wide. Crew members must be at least 19 years old.
  At the day’s end, a dance at the Holiday Inn featuring Lightning Sound is sure to be a lot of fun, Huot said.
  First, second and third place prizes will be given out in both fun and competitive races. There will also be prizes for best theme raft, best paddle and the ever-popular first-to-sink prize.
  The $8 dance tickets are available from the Holiday Inn office.
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