The official race, on Saturday morning, was won by father and son team Roy and Philip Anderson (14), of Macandrew Bay, riding an innovative craft fashioned from a couple of big blue plastic drums, and a collection of large plastic drink bottles.
Philip had entered the event as a 12 year old in 2009, accompanied by another youngster, and finished near the back of the field. This year, Philip was two years older and stronger, had his dad along to help out, and another brother, Marcus (6), had also lent a hand with raft-making behind the scenes.
Quite a bit of thinking and raft tweaking since the earlier event clearly paid off, with the added drink bottles increasing buoyancy, and reducing drag, and oars used instead of paddles, greatly increasing traction.
"We have a lot of fun," Ms Crawford said.
Twenty-one entrants, including many slightly weird and wonderful rafts, the odd kayak and one surprisingly fast wardrobe, took part, in warm, sunny conditions, with little wind, in sharp contrast to last year's race, when entrants battled strong winds.
More than 120 people attended the prizegiving, but for many of those attending, Karitane itself - dubbed "a slice of paradise" by one happy resident - was the biggest winner.
Holiday-makers and permanent residents alike praised Karitane's close-knit, slightly old-fashioned sense of community and traditional ways of having fun, as well as the easy beach and water access, and emphasised their sheer joy in living at or visiting the place.
Among the biggest enthusiasts were race co-ordinators and residents Di Gorman and and Helen ("Brad") Bradbury.
"It really is a stunning place," Mrs Gorman said.
"This is definitely the place to be," Ms Bradbury added.
