The launch races are a big Pahi drawcard

A hundred-and-twenty-three years of tradition will be marked on Anniversary Weekend with the annual Pahi Regatta, a top draw card on the Kaipara summer calendar.

The two-day event has become a waterfront carnival, with the camping ground packed with tents, caravans, mobile homes and boat trailers gathered for boating events, including the $1,000 bath-tub race, a Miss Pahi beauty pageant, sideshows, and live entertainment in a giant marquee social centre.

“It is certainly a red letter weekend for the Pahi Reserve Society,” said chairman Ralph Williams.

“The camp is pretty much booked out well before the event each year.”

For this year’s regatta, Saturday will see launch and runabout races, the Miss Pahi contest and a social gathering/dinner-dance at night.

Bathtubs and kayaks will race on Sunday. In the bathtub event, a two horsepower outboard is allowed for propulsion.

Parking is available over the weekend at the top of Pahi Hill, with a shuttle bus operating down to the waterfront.