Opinion: Support Rotorua's big weekend of events

The bombing platform at Tikitapu (Blue Lake). Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua is chockablock full of events and activities this weekend and heading in to Waitangi Day.

It's great to see Flochella will be held at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) this year and looks to be a fun day for all.

Tikitapu was a staple in my childhood diet of swimming holes and has always been a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to gather and cool off in the summer heat.

I remember swimming out to the floating platform and doing "bombs" into the water along with other kids.

However, it would take a lot of guts for me to climb the tower built this week especially for the bomb competition — kudos to those who do!

The platform is up to 10m high and has multiple platforms to jump from. It looks like it will be a heap of fun to do — and to watch.

The competition is on Sunday, February 4 and the bombing platform will be open to "casual bombers" on Saturday and Tuesday.

As event director Matt Laity says: "As Kiwis we're surrounded by water … I think, at the end of the day, people love to swim."

If bombing off platforms doesn't float your boat perhaps something a little more sedate might be up your alley, with the Classic and Wooden Boat Parade at Lake Rotiti's Okere Arm on Sunday — the oldest boat is from the 1800s.

Previous parades have included everything from wooden kayaks and dinghies to steam powered boats and wooden yachts.

The annual Rotorua Summer Seafood Festival is returning for its third year and if you're a big fan of kai moana (seafood) head along to the Village Green tomorrow.

There should be something for everyone this weekend. Find out more in today's paper then head along to support these fantastic community events.