Waves of students 'Rock the Boat' in record bid

AS if taking their cue from the disgruntled electorate, more than 900 students decided yesterday that they too would Rock the Boat.

The NUI Galway undergraduates gathered on campus, all intent on setting a new world record.

They marked the start of the annual College Week by re-writing the record books for the biggest number of people to take part in the Rock the Boat dance.

The cheesy 1974 Hues Corporation hit is a favourite at weddings and other celebrations and involves everybody sitting on the floor in rows and swaying back and forth in time to the music.

Up to yesterday the record was held by 820 people who Rocked the Boat in Tipperary in 2009.

But thanks to a last-minute rush of students to the NUIG sports centre at lunchtime, the new record was set.

Using separate counting clickers, it was confirmed that a total of 907 had taken part in the record attempt.

"It's all a bit of fun, but we're using it to raise funds also for the Alan Kerins Project and Ability West," NUIG Students Union President Peter Mannion said.

Last year the Galway students raised €20,000 for various charities.

- Brian McDonald

Irish Independent