Mid Canterbury’s Young Farmers will gather in Hinds for the third annual Gumboot Games this weekend.
Hosted by the Hinds branch, it’s a chance for farmers to get away from work and try their hand at something new – grape mashing, anyone?
“There’s an egg-and-spoon race, grape squishing, the annual tug-of-war, a gumboot throw and a blindfolded obstacle course,” club chairperson Olivia Caddick said.
Caddick said the event had been started by the previous chairperson, Abby Cook, who wanted more events to help those in agriculture look after their mental and social wellbeing.
“It’s quite good to get all the young farmers to mingle at events like this.
“You don’t really get off farm otherwise.”
Cook’s work earned the Hinds team the official “Club of the year” title amongst the 60-odd clubs across the country.
“When she joined the club, she wanted to make Young Farmers a bit more fun,” Caddick said.
And she said it’s worked, with other clubs in the South Island planning to host their own challenge days in the coming months.
About 40 people from five clubs made an appearance last year, and while jobs on the farm come first, Caddick is hopeful there’ll be an increase in attendance.
The Pendarves, Pleasant Point, Five Forks and Upper Waitaki clubs will show at the event.
In 2024, Pleasant Point came first, Upper Waitaki were second and the hosts were third – Caddick hopes Hinds will claim a victory this year.
It’s an event open to the public for viewing, so go along if your Saturday afternoon’s free.
“Anyone can come to watch, it is quite funny.
“Even if people want to find out more about joining our club.”
The event starts at the Hinds rugby grounds at 12pm on Saturday.
By Anisha Satya
