THOUSANDS watched on as Poole Bath Tub Race kicked off 2023 in style.

The popular New Year’s Day event saw teams, decked out in fancy dress, race along Poole Quay in homemade bath tub crafts.

Eggs and flour filled the air as the chaotic, nearly 50-year-old race began at 10am.

Bel Noyes has been taking part in the race for fifteen years and summed up the chaos of the race.

“We didn’t win, I got smacked in the head by an egg, it was great,” she said.

Bournemouth Echo:

Most of the teams compete to have fun, rather than win. Angus, who has entered the race for around 20 years, said the main thing is having fun to begin the new year.

The event is typically attended by around 3,000 people, and this year looked no different.

Among the crowd was Laurence, who is visiting the area from the United States and found out about the race online.

“I thought it was a lot of fun, they’re braver than I would be, in this weather,” he said.

“We live in Florida; we don’t see anything like that.”

Many watch the race each year, with it forming a well-loved New Year’s Day tradition.

“We come every year; lots of people in the water, lots of egg throwing, lots of flour throwing, lots of getting eggs thrown at you, and lots of fun for a New Year’s Day morning,” Rebecca said.

Bournemouth Echo:

Gerald has been volunteering with the RNLI for more than 70 years, and has attended the race for the past 26, collecting money for the work of the lifeboats in the area.

“A part of the race is just to create a lovely atmosphere for the new year. Everybody enjoys it and has fun, and it’s a means of raising funds for the crew, they’re the main important part of the RNLI,” he said.

Discussing this year’s race, and how it compares to previous editions, Gerald said: “I think it’s gone off a bit better, it’s been calmer.

“I think they’ve been a bit more accurate with their eggs and their flour this year.”