Water Rockets

(Photo courtesy of NPL)

On 20th June, 8 scouts, with leaders and supporters, headed for Teddington for the annual National Physics Laboratory Water Rocket Challenge. A plain clothes undercover team of Inspector Basil and Chums was also spotted on the field.


Happily, after last year's rain, it was back to the sunshine experienced the preceding four years.


We did not gain medals, but all teams acquitted themselves well. Indeed the senior team (the Reigate Rocketeers) were in third position after round one, before slipping back a bit to a final position of 9th (out of 18 teams).

The junior team (the Wacky Water Rocketeers) coped admirably with a new launcher that they had never seen before the event, let alone fired, and a rogue rocket that wanted to fly into the crowd, amazingly finishing in 5th place.

Well done to Dom who made a rocket for the event and congratulations to Connor for his eggcellent, well designed and thoroughly tested egg carrying rocket - the fresh egg survived the experience and the team were duly presented with a certificate. 

Inspector Basil and Chums’ egg was not so lucky.

(Photo courtesy of NPL)

However congratulations are due to Inspector Basil and Chums for gaining the 'best launcher' award for their electronic release mechanism (which however did not help them past 11th place overall!).

(Photo courtesy of NPL)

Thanks to Claire for driving and managing a team, and Mandy for bringing the supporters. Thanks also to Daniel, Mike and Tony for provision of launch mechanisms.


More photos can be found on our website at https://picasaweb.google.com/17th.reigate/NPLWaterRockets2012 (you will need to login) and there are also photos of the event at http://www.npl.co.uk/educate-explore/water-rocket-challenge/