Raft Race to Long Trail Brewery

In late April or early May, in Brigewater, VT there's a raft race down the Ottauquechee River that starts and a brewery and ends at a mill. It is SO fun to watch. But I would NEVER participate. I'm a horrible swimmer and the water is ice cold. It's so fun to get a few beers and walk along the river, watching the rafters go by shivering and laughing. Would you ever raft in such cold temperatures??