Gwella’s Southampton branch is pleased to have helped sponsor the 2026 RNLI Great Waterside Raft Race, held at Hythe Marina on Sunday 30 August.
A local tradition since the 1980s
This year marked the 39th race. It is organised each year by the volunteers of the RNLI Hythe and Calshot Fundraising Branch, who spend months planning the day to raise money for the lifeboat crews who keep people safe at sea.
The weather was unsettled, with strong gusts and the odd downpour, but it did not keep people away. Spectators filled the side of the marina and watched from Prospect Place and Hythe Pier as 13 rafts, crewed by nearly 100 people, competed for trophies and medals. This year’s entries included a first-time joint raft from Calshot RNLI Station and the Calshot Tower Coast Watch.
Alongside the racing, visitors enjoyed a funfair, RNLI sea safety advice and life jacket checks, food and drink stalls, and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
Raising vital funds
The race has raised just under £6,500 so far, with funds still coming in. Every pound goes towards supporting the RNLI’s volunteer crews, who are on call around the clock to respond to emergencies at sea.
A cause close to home
The sponsorship came from our Southampton team, but the RNLI’s work matters to everyone across Gwella. As a business with Cornish roots, we know how much coastal communities depend on their lifeboat stations and the volunteers who crew them, often in the most challenging conditions. As an employee-owned company, we are proud when our teams support the communities they work in, and we are glad our Southampton colleagues could contribute to such a well-loved local event.
We would like to thank the RNLI Hythe and Calshot Fundraising Branch for their hard work in organising the race, and congratulations to all the crews who took part.
Next year’s race has already been confirmed for 18 July 2027. Find out more at watersideraftrace.org.uk.
