Cardboard Boat Regatta Set For Dublin Memorial Park
MADISON- A new meaning for “float your boat” is set for Saturday, March 30 at Dublin Memorial Park with the inaugural Cardboard Boat Regatta hosted by the Madison Recreation Department. Divisions for youth and adults will be held with awards presented to teams in several categories including speed, creativity and team spirit.
“I had heard of this event several years while attending one of our recreation ARPA Conferences and I thought it looked like fun for everyone,” said Gayle Milam, event and volunteer coordinator for the Madison Recreation Dept. “I thought, after all, we are an area of engineers and we should be able to do this.”
Each team will be comprised of two members in several divisions: Youth (age 8-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18 and older), Family (one adult and youth). Teams can build multiple vessels, but each constructed boat can compete just once.
Boats must be made of cardboard and duct tape, only. Duct tape may be used to reinforce seams. Oars or paddles must be constructed from cardboard and duct tape. Nuts, bolts, washers and staples are not allowed. Wood, plastic, inflatable devices, Styrofoam or fiberglass are not allowed as part of the boat. Waterproofing is also not allowed in the makeup of a boat. Complete rules are available upon registration.
Each entrant will race one length across the outdoor pool at Dublin Memorial Park, turn around and go back to the starting point. Crew members must remain in their boat and not use any body part to propel their boat.
“Rumor is we may have two radio stations that have challenged each other for the event,” added Milam.
The earliest cardboard boat races date back to 1974 at Southern Illinois University. Since that time, similar regattas have been held with huge success and featured an array of engineering ideas on making boats better for races.
Registration is available until Monday, March 25. Cost is $20 per team. Teams can register by contacting Milam at gayle.milam@madisonal.gov or by calling 256-772-2557 at Dublin Memorial Park.
Boat check-in will began at 9:15 a.m. on race day with races setting sail at 10:30 a.m. Entrant costumes are encouraged and decorations and boat design are urged as part of the event spirit. Boats must be pre-built and can be “fine-tuned” on site.
