Opinion: Bring on the bombs and beats this summer

Flochella at Lake Taupo this year.

Water, music, sunshine and throwing yourself off 10m high platforms into aforesaid water. What could be more fun, especially for the young and young at heart?

We announced this week that Rotorua's Tikitapu (Blue Lake) will host ZM's Flochella floating music festival and the Flava-sponsored NZ Bomb Comp in February - running on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Waitangi Day.

Which means for the organised among us, book the Monday off work (or hope your school hasn't started back by then) and you can enjoy a four-day weekend with non-stop entertainment. And the best bit is, it's right on our doorstep.

The other good bit? With Rotorua Lakes Council not footing the bill for this festival, we can just relax and enjoy it without worrying about how much it will cost ratepayers!

I stumbled across Flochella in Taupo last summer, while trying to ride a bike around the lakefront path.

For a festival in its first year, there was a big crowd and the vibe was one of chilled out summer happiness. Families, groups of excited teenagers and an array of brightly coloured floating devices were encircled by boats out on the water. It was alcohol-free, just a chance for youngsters to hang out with their mates, listen to some music and make memories.

The bomb tower was a sight to behold and the brave souls that hurled themselves off it - flipping, diving and all too often belly flopping - were pure entertainment.

So I am delighted Rotorua will host these events in February and while I won't be throwing myself off any towers - and I may just be too old to float on an inflatable pink flamingo - I hope locals get behind it, and maybe even make it a Rotorua summer tradition.