Cardboard Boat Regatta To Be Held March 30
MADISON- A final push for registration is underway for the Inaugural Cardboard Boat Regatta scheduled for Saturday, March 30 at Dublin Memorial Park. Entry deadline is Monday, March 25.
Divisions for youth and adults will be held with awards presented in each division, plus additional awards for “Pride of the Regatta,” Best Dressed, Spirit Award and Titanic Award.
Restrictions on how the boats are allowed to be made will be strictly enforced. 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.
Race rules are pretty simple- 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. 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.
The event will held at the outdoor pool inside the dome at Dublin Memorial Park. Certified lifeguards will be on hand should they be required to assist in any misfortunes of the participants.
Gayle Milam, event and volunteer coordinator for the Madison Recreation Dept., indicated some local media outlets have challenged each other for the event. Milam added, “I heard of this event several years ago while attending one of our Recreation ARPA Conferences and I thought it looked like fun for everyone.”
Registration fee is $20 per team. Teams can register by contacting Milam at gayle.milam@madisonal.gov or by calling 256-772-2557.
Check-in for the Regatta will begin at 9:15 a.m. with races beginning promptly at 10:30 a.m. Boats must be pre-built, but can be “fine-tuned” on site.
