Cardboard Regatta

/in

Event Details

Cardboard Regatta Rules Overview

1. Construction Materials

  • All watercraft must be fully built and ready to sail at the time of the first race. No last minute waterproofing or patching/finishing touches. 
  • Hull: Must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard (waxed, waterproofed, or  plain)
  • Supports: All major and minor hull supports must be corrugated; no other materials can be used for structural support
  • Other parts: Non-corrugated materials (foam, non-corrugated cardboard) may be used for oars, oar locks, rudders, masts, sails, or seats, but cannot contribute to hull structure
  • No: Fiberglass, plastic, foam, rubber, inflatable devices, tar, epoxy, two-part adhesives, caulking, or sealed hulls
  • Paddles/oars: Must be made of cardboard and duct tape/hot glue; may be painted with water-based paint, but sealers must be dry before launch
  • Decorations: Allowed for creativity, but not for flotation or structural strength
  • Teams may not alter or patch boats between races

2. Size Limits

  • Max width 3–5 ft (36–60 inches), max length 7 ft (84 inches)
  • No height restrictions in most events

3. Safety

  • Mandatory: Boats must have easy entry/exit and no enclosed crew area above shoulders to allow escape if sinking
  • Crew must remain in the boat during the race; swimming or towing is disqualification
  • Hull may not contain sharp, pointy objects, sharp edges or anything else that may pose a danger to the occupants or others.
  • No Pyrotechnics, smoke, or sparklers

4.Crew & Teams

  • Team must have a name, boat must have a name. No profanity.
  • Full crew of 4. Typically 1–2 crew members in the boat; up to 2 helpers at the start line
  • Adult races 18 and older, depending on the number of teams in each category, kids may be split into age groups

5. Race Conduct

  • Be sportsmanlike; no collisions, sabotage, or aggressive behavior
  • Races may be in heats; start and finish with the correct crew
  • Disqualifications can include leaving the boat mid-race, using prohibited materials, or unsafe conduct

6. Pre-Race & Post-Race

  • All boats must be inspected and approved before launch; illegal materials lead to disqualification
  • After the race, remove and dispose of boats and debris at designated areas

SAFETY (Because we love ya!)

  1. All participants are required to wear Coast Guard approved life jackets.
  2. For safety the boat should be constructed with easy entry and exit.
  3. Participants must remove all potentially dangerous objects from their pockets, such as pointy objects, knives, pens, etc.
  4. Hull may not contain sharp, pointy objects, sharp edges or anything else that may pose a danger to the occupants or others.
  5. Children 4 and under may not participate.
  6. Unsportsmanlike conduct will disqualify you. Contacting another person or boat with your paddle at any time will result in disqualification.
  7. The use of pyrotechnics (fireworks, smoke bombs, sparklers, etc.) of any kind will result in disqualification.

THE RACE

In order to give everyone as fair a chance as possible, we will try to run as few boats as is practical in each heat. To qualify for the semi-finals and finals, the best time will prevail. So, even if you’re in last place, push it! Your time may qualify you to advance.

THE RACE COURSE

Adult course is length of the pool and back.

THE PRIZES 

Grand Prize for Overall Winner: 2027 Membership Dues FREE

2nd Place: $200 Cool Dell Card

3rd Place: $100 Cool Dell Card