South Yunderup joins in for battle of the boats| Photos

The event encourages residents to come together and design original rafts to compete in a family-friendly race from Warma Way to the Batavia Quays boat ramp, an 80km return trip.

Participants can compete in the under 10, under 14, family and open categories.

The initiative was created by the South Yunderup Residents and Ratepayers Association (SYRRA) in an attempt to bring the local families together over the school holidays to work on a common project.

Each participant is in charge of designing their own raft, sourcing recycled materials and constructing the vessel ahead of the regatta. 

This year’s event gathered nine different vessels with designs ranging from pirate ships, newspapers and giant blue crabs to movie-inspired Star Wars and Jaws rafts.

Participants took to the water at 9am and battled with colourful flour bombs they way to the finishing line.

“[They were] all very cleverly constructed colourful creations,” SYRRA secretary Dianna Eldridge said.

“Every raft went home with either a Canals Shop or iTunes voucher for winning, participating and giving us a great mornings entertainment.”