Raft building
with a group
Teams build a raft from barrels, beams and rope that then has to actually go out on the water. We provide the materials and the hosting.
Why raft building works so well for a team
Raft building is a task in which a team builds a raft from loose barrels, beams and rope, which then has to actually stay afloat. That last part is what it is all about. In most team tasks a host judges whether it worked. Here the water does that, and its verdict is not up for debate.
The interesting part happens during the build. There is always someone who starts lashing straight away, someone who wants to draw it first, and someone who notices halfway that the barrels are not distributed properly. Who gets listened to then, and who does not, often says more about the group than a whole afternoon of talking.
What we provide
We provide the complete activity, from supplying the building materials to hosting on the water. You provide the group, we provide the rest.
- Barrels, beams, rope and lashing materials for all teams
- Life jackets in sizes that fit the group
- Explanation, safety briefing and supervision while on the water
- A suitable spot on the water, if you do not have one yourselves
What is needed in terms of water and ground?
Raft building needs calm, shallow water with a bank where you can easily get in and out. A pond, a lake or a quiet side channel will do, provided there is no current or shipping. We also need a stretch of level ground where the teams can build, within walking distance of the water's edge.
If you have your own site with water, for example at a holiday park, a campsite or your own grounds, we set it up there. If not, we make sure a suitable spot is ready. We look at the location in advance for depth, bank and accessibility, because that determines whether it can be done.
The weather matters less than people think. Rain is not a problem for an activity in which you get wet anyway. In thunderstorms or strong wind the water is off limits, and we agree in advance which activity replaces it.
How big can the group be?
Raft building works best with teams of five to eight people per raft. Smaller means heavy lifting, larger means people standing around watching the build. From about twelve participants, two rafts are built at the same time, and a competition arises naturally.
Above forty participants it becomes a programme in itself, with several building spots and extra hosts. We then usually combine it with another activity, so the group rotates and nobody waits for long. A team games day is a logical combination with it.
As for age, we take about twelve years as the lower limit, because there is a lot of heavy lifting and lashing. For mixed groups with younger children, we adjust the roles, for example by letting them do the rope work and the test sail.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be able to swim to take part in raft building?
Being able to swim is not a hard requirement for raft building, because everyone wears a life jacket as soon as the raft goes into the water. We do want to know in advance if there are participants who do not feel comfortable on the water. There is always a role on the bank for them, for example in the building itself or in timekeeping.
What happens if a raft capsizes?
A raft that capsizes is part of the game and is usually the moment with the loudest laughter. We keep the route short and shallow, everyone wears a jacket, and one of us is always on the bank watching. Bring dry clothes, because wet feet are more the rule than the exception.
How much time does raft building take?
Raft building, including the build, the sail and clearing up, takes about two and a half to three hours. The building itself takes up most of it, and that is where the team element lies. It can be shorter, but then the sail becomes a formality and the moment the group works towards disappears.
What does raft building cost for a group?
Raft building starts at €550, because materials, life jackets and supervision on the water are involved. If it becomes part of a longer day programme with several activities, we'll make one proposal for the whole thing. After the first conversation you will know the exact price.
Tell us about your plan
Interested in raft building? Fill in the short form and we will send a price estimate within 1 working day.
Raft building with your group
Let us know how many people, when, and whether there is water at your venue. Then we will send a proposal.