Following the excitement of the arrival of the big ocean-racing boats, there was a huge level of interest from adults and children alike, in the great Banana Boat Race, organised by Zikomo, Galway's well-known and innovative development organisation, whose work is focussed in southern Malawi.
The fund-raising event was held, to symbolise the connexion between the sea-faring traditions of Galway & the West of Ireland with land-locked Malawi. In planning the event, Zikomo was keen to use boats from natural non-polluting materials, so they chose bananas as it was Africa Day and they have a sunny, boat-like appearance. It was symbolic of the production of fruit in the developing world and Zikomo's intention of starting a new fruit growing project in southern Malawi.
It proved a real fascination to see these little craft float and be carried by the wind and current down Friars River. Prizes from Judy Greene, The Paint Box, Galway Market, and Green Dragon were given to the fastest banana boats and to the boats with the most impressive design. Enda O’Coineen, a sailor not afraid of the smaller craft himself, was on hand at the prize giving to give some inspirational words as he commented, " this is what it's all about" relating to our long maritime traditions and the very origins as the human race in the sea. He also referred to the creativity inherent in everyone, and our ability to harness our creative energy to solutions to the world's greatest concerns. The audience appeared to appreciate the moving speech and each child /adult felt as proud as any skipper or boat-owner.
As always, the people of Galway showed their generosity; over €1,000 was raised which will go directly towards completion of Zikomo's current projects, and towards the next sustainable project planned by the group.
So in this big, high stakes world-wide sailing event, Galway, the smallest port of call, has shown it can also reach out to landlocked countries in the developing world.
