Select a region
The traditional closing event of the Harbour Carnival is to be rebranded from this year onwards to encourage more people, including both women and men, to sign up to take part.
The organisers of the popular sea front event are worried women may not be signing up for the 'Man Powered Flight' so it is to be rebranded with a gender neutral title.
In the past, the 'Man Powered Flight' has been one of the most popular events during the busy Harbour Carnival, which is held annually during the summer, co-inciding with a high tide.
Now, the Round Table, which organises the Carnival has said too few women are signing up for it so the competition will be rebranded to encourage more entrants from all genders. The organising committee has also arranged for grants of up to £200 per entry to assist teams in the costs of their building materials to ensure their Human Powered Flight constructions can get them as far as possible.
The Ladies Dinghy Race, which is always the most popular event on the night, will remain a ladies only event with the same title it has always had. It is again expected to attract the most teams this year.
The organising committee said while that event does not need to be changed, they do try and "tweak the event structures to try to generate the maximum participation from the community each year," adding that while the Harbour Carnival is a big fundraising initiative it is also about putting on an "incredible free event for the community to get involved in."
Other events, including the Tug of War and the Paddle Board Race are also being held again this year as well as the Corporate Duck Race and a number of children's activities in the 'Kids Zone'.
The Mini Duck Race is not being held this year as the organisers felt there was a risk to the environment if not all of the ducks could be collected post event, so in an effort to ensure sustainability and to protect our marine environment it has been taken off the itinerary for this year.
The 2018 Harbour Carnival is being held on Friday 15 June, starting with the Corporate Duck Race at 17:30 and ending with fireworks at 22:00.
To add to the community feel of the Harbour Carnival there will be live music including from some "local youth bands", entertainment and some other "carnival touches!" Lady Corder, the Patron of this year's main beneficiary, The Guernsey Voluntary Service, will open the Harbour Carnival and will also take part in the Ladies Dinghy Race herself.
The Guernsey Scouts will also be lending a hand this year by helping to launch the Big Duck Race while Outdoor Guernsey is assisting with the Stand Up Paddleboard Races.
If you want to sign up for any of the events you can find out more at harbourcanival.gg
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.