Cardboard Boat Regatta

Get ready to build, paddle, and possibly sink in the most fun race of the summer! Gather your crew and see if your cardboard creation can conquer the water. THE CHALLENGE -Design and build a person-powered boat made entirely of corrugated cardboard and race it across a 150-yard course. Will your boat sail to victory or earn a dramatic splashdown? The theme of the boats should be patriotic!

Boats must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard and propelled by oars, paddles, brooms, or similar human-powered devices.

Bring your creativity, teamwork, and a sense of humor — because whether you float or flop, it’s going to be a splash!

Ages: 4 years & up
Code: 400023
Fee: $15R / $20NR per team
Location: Jones Island Park Beach
Registration required by: July 11

Only ONE person from your household needs to register if you are only making one boat. Each BOAT requires registration. Waivers must be signed by all participants at the event.

Register Here

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL BOAT CLASSES

1. The Boat Captain must pre-register and turn in a team safety waiver on race day.
2. The entire boat must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard.
3. Only corrugated cardboard is allowed. Any thickness is permitted.  If it’s not corrugated, DON’T USE IT.  This includes carpet tubes or barrels-DON’T USE!
4. The boats may not be wrapped in plastic, duct tape, shrink-wrap or anything else.
5. Only seams and joints may be taped, not the entire boats.
6. Items used as fasteners (nuts, bolts, washers, staples, glue) as well as the oars may be of material other than cardboard.
7. Your boat must be free of sharp edges, pointy objects or anything else that could cause injuries.
8. The boats’ passenger area must not be permanently enclosed above the occupants’ shoulders. Each person must be visible while the boat is in the water.
9. ABSOLUTELY NO use of the following items: Tar-based substances, two-part varnishes, fiberglass resin, epoxy glue, any other two-part substances, or corrugated cardboard that’s bonded to any material.
10. To qualify as a finisher in any heat, you must be IN your boat.
11. No more than 6 humans allowed in any boat.
12. Children under the age of 12 must have an adult in the boat with them in the open division.
13. All boat occupants must wear a properly fastened life jacket while in the boat or water.
14. ALL Boat Crews must wear closed toe shoes and wear shoes with a substantial sole. NO FLIP FLOPS ALLOWED!
15. If you’ve been drinking alcohol (or using other substances that may impair you), you’ll be banned from the race.
16. Boats with the fastest times in the preliminary heats will advance to the semi-finals. The fastest semi-finalists will advance to the finals.
17. If you don’t want to take your boat home after the race, you MUST help put it in one of the maintenance trucks on site to be recycled. DO NOT leave it on the grass or on the beach.
18. A 4-minute time limit per heat will be in effect.

Clean Up/Debris Disposal:

Each boat crew MUST remove their cardboard, decorations and boat related materials from the water.

Technical Inspection:

All Boats are subject to Technical Inspection.  Your boat will be inspected for compliance with these rules.  A boat must pass inspection to be eligible for any award or prize.  You will have the opportunity to fix a violation and must be re-inspected.