Cardboard Boat Race

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Get Ready to Make Waves at the Cardboard Boat Race!

Date: Saturday, February 7th 
Time: 11 AM
Location: Dahlgren Aquatics

Boat Construction Begins at 11 AM - We Provide the Materials!

Design and build your very own cardboard and duct tape boat to race against others for the fastest times. It's a challenge that will test your creativity and engineering skills! Open to all ages 6 and above with base access.

  • Entry Fee: $10 per entry 
  • Win Prizes! 
  • Registration Deadline: February 2

 

Age Categories:

  • Ages 6-9 
  • Ages 10-13
  • Ages 14-17
  • 18+ 

Safety First: All participants must be swim-tested or required to wear a life jacket.

Don't miss out on this exciting and unique event! Gather your friends and family, let your imagination run wild, and prepare for a day of cardboard boat racing fun. See you there!

Cardboard Boat Regatta Rules

General Rules

Allowed Supplies:

  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Elmer’s wood glue (must be dry by race time)
  • Duct tape
  • Water-based paint (must be dry by race time)

 

Forbidden Materials:

  • Cardboard manufactured for shipping (waxed, weather sealed, rolled, pressed, reinforced, etc.) is not allowed.
  • Fiberglass resins and plastic epoxies
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Foam core boards or Styrofoam
  • Pasteboard or chipboard types of cardboard
  • Non-corrugated cardboard
  • Cardboard that has been factory coated with wax
  • Metal foils
  • Pool noodles, kickboards, pull buoy or other floatation gear

 

Other Rules:

  1. Boats must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard and propelled by human power using paddles, oars, etc. (canoe and kayak paddles or oars are allowed, plastic only, which will be provided).
  2. Boat inspections and captains meeting are at 1 PM and the Regatta starts immediately after. Races may be divided due to the number of entries/ age categories. All times will be kept.
  3. Boats and team members may not intentionally interfere with any other team or boat (failure to comply with this will result in immediate disqualification).
  4. All boats must be staffed with one to two team members IN the boat. No towing, holding or using floatation devices to hold the boat up.
  5. The judges reserve the right to tear apart and/or inspect any boat.
  6. Boats will have to maneuver a 25-yard (approx.) across lap pool.
  7. Competitors must remain in the boat to complete the event.
  8. All teams must completely dispose of their boats after the completion of the event in the outside waste container.
  9. You cannot wrap the entire boat with plastic or duct tape, or any similar tape or wrap. Duct tape can only be used at the seams and stress points. However, you are allowed to reinforce all seams and stress points with tape before waterproofing.
  10. Boats may not exceed more than 1-inch of cardboard thickness.
  11. Contestants should take care to ensure that the construction of your boat does not include pointed projections and sharp edges that might cause personal injury.
  12. Enclosed boats that impede escape is not allowed.
  13. US Coast Guard approved floatation devices must be used and participants must pass the swim test. All pool rules and admittance fees apply.

 

Awards will be presented at the Cardboard Boat Regatta for the following:

  1. First to Finish - (4 age categories)
  2. Best Dressed Team – This is awarded to the organization with the most creative or elaborate team uniforms/costumes. If wearing a costume, feet must be free and not covered. 
  3. Titanic Award or Spectacular Sinker– This is awarded to the organization with the most spectacular or dramatic sink.

 

•Everything must be removed from the pool.