This is a most challenging fun activity, judging by the number of wet particpants and shouts of encouragement from the teams. Their spirit really comes out going across the raft bridge.

Someone has to get wet and swim across to establish the far side anchor point for the bridge. Then all the other parts can be put together. This provides hours of wet fun.

Team members try to stay dry as long as possible. Every now and then someone falls in, accompanied by a big cheer from the group. Some are afraid initially, but they try it anyway. "Jump in! Jump in! Jump in!" the teams often chant until someone drops into the muddy water below. But most of the participants are purposefully getting wet. Eventually everybody realises that staying dry is not an option and jumps in.

Raft Bridge

A raft is a flat structure, typically made of planks, logs, or barrels, that floats on water and is used for transport or as a platform for swimmers.

A raft bridge is a bridge whose points of support are rafts or a bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened together. This requires good team work. The various elements are carefully floated and attached to the other elements to form the bridge along the ropes.

Single Rope Bridge

The one rope bridge can be used to cross rivers up to 20 meters wide. It is easily constructed, using a single 40 meter rope. People being able to cross rapidly or the one-rope bridge can be used to ferry equipment.

One team member has to get wet and cross the river with the rope to anchor it at the far side with a round turn and two half hitches or with a bowline. At the near end it is tied off with a transport tightening system (pulleys).

When the rope is tight, team members can cross the water either riding on top of the rope or hanging below. If the rope is too slack they all get a bit wet.

Twin Rope Bridge

This bridge is constructed similarly to the single rope bridge, except that two ropes are used. The ropes are spaced about 1 1/2 meters (4 to 5 feet) apart at the anchor points. The two-rope bridge is ideal for a larger group, but it requires more time and equipment to construct than a one-rope bridge.

Spreaders, made from 3 meter sling ropes, are typically tied approximately 5 meters apart; they assist in keeping the two ropes at an appropriate distance apart, and help distribute weight between the two ropes.

One boy climbed along the two-rope bridge, clutching the higher rope with his hands. All of a sudden he let go, flipped over backwards and landed in the water. The resulting cheer echoed through the park.