A WAGGA man who has dedicated years vying for the acclaimed King of Gumi has lashed out at the Roads and Maritime Services’ (RMS) resistance to give the iconic event the green light.
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Simon Freemantle has used old tyre tubes to purpose-build rafts to enter in the seven-kilometre float down the Murrumbidgee River for the past five years.
He has spent the last year planning his entry into the upcoming February 14 event hoping to finally claim the coveted title – but RMS are looking to can it under safety concerns.
“If they cut Gumi, it means the morons running the bureaucracy have won again,” Mr Freemantle said. “It means a lot to Wagga and it means a lot to the people who enter it. It’s a community event.”
Authorities claim the river is the sixth most dangerous for drownings in NSW and fear risks are too high to hold it during peak irrigation season.
State Emergency Services (SES) has backed the RMS and shares its safety fears, but pledged to again support the public event if it goes ahead.
But Mr Freemantle, of team PRD Nationwide, said he and his children are in it for the fun and healthy competition.
He fears axing the historic race, run from Eunony Bridge to Wagga Beach, will cost the people of the city a valuable chance to come together as a community and utilise the river in a unique fully-supervised event.
The RMS are currently assessing an application to hold the event and a decision is expected to be made this week.
“People who want to can events like this are ill-informed,” Mr Freemantle said. “We’ve has upside-down trampolines and nice steel frame (crafts) which are very stable and very safe.”
The Advertiser understands a senior RMS official will visit Wagga on Friday to meet with SES and Volunteer Rescue Association crews to help form a decision.
It is a step Mr Freemantle – and organisers – hope will deliver a positive outcome and keep the 40-year Wagga tradition above water.
