Cardboard Boat Regatta
Get ready for the most anticipated, hilarious, and exciting event of the summer!
Build a cardboard boat, gather your crew, and race across the pool in a test of creativity, engineering, and pure determination.
Swimmers are encouraged to team up with friends and construct a seaworthy vessel using only cardboard and duct tape. Depending on the number of entries, multiple heats may be held to determine the overall champion.
Boat Construction Rules
- Boats may be made only of cardboard and duct tape.
- No glue, Styrofoam, paint, plastic, wood, or other materials are permitted.
- No kickboard boats allowed.
- Paddles are permitted but must also be made entirely of cardboard and duct tape.
Race Events
Participants may compete:
- Solo
- With a partner
- In a group (maximum of 4 people)
Swimmers may enter as many events as they would like. Sign up for your event at the pool and start planning and building your vessel now!
Race Format
- All races will take place in the pool.
- Each heat will be 25 yards.
- Multiple heats may be conducted based on participation levels.
Awards
Awards will be presented for:
- Fastest Race Time
- Best Boat Design
- Most Creative Boat
- Most Dramatic Sinking
Event Schedule
5:30–6:30 PM
- Arrive and check in
- Bring your own family dinner and lawn chairs
- Display and stage your boats on the pool deck
6:30 PM
- Boat races begin by heat and age group
Clean-Up Requirements
Please be prepared to take home the remains of any boats you bring.
Waterlogged cardboard creates a significant mess, and there is not enough room in the Oaktree dumpster for all the soggy shipwrecks. Every family is responsible for removing and disposing of their entire boat after the event.
Pro Tip: Bring one or more large, heavy-duty trash bags to transport your wet cardboard home.
Action Item
Start forming your teams, designing your boats, and sign up on the pool bulletin board beginning this week!
Watch the event video here:Watch video here
