Cardboard Boat Race

Cardboard Boat Race Official Rules

AWARDS

First, Second and Third Place Trophies:

Will be awarded for the top three boats in the final heat. A cardboard boat must complete length of the course to qualify as a “finisher.” Swimming crewmembers pushing a boat (or some portion of it) through the course is not considered “racing.” The boat (or some portion of it) must be maneuvered and propelled by at least one paddling crewmember.

Cardboard Crusaders Race

Any boat that is still sea worthy (and a “finisher”) and not in the finals is allowed to participate in the Cardboard Crusaders race. This race is a one or two lap race with the winner receiving a special cardboard trophy.

Race Medals

Guaranteed to all registered participants including crew members and boat builders. These are handed out during the awards ceremony and each crew is recognized.

Special Trophies Will be awarded for the following:

Best in Race Award

(1st place) - First boat to cross the finish line in the final heat.

Second and Third place trophies will also be awarded for the final heat.

Judge’s Choice Award

Awarded by the judges based on creativity, showmanship and team spirit. Costumes and props are encouraged!

People’s Choice Award

Awarded to the boat that receives the most “votes” (in monetary terms) cast by the spectators throughout the day until the conclusion of all races. Voting will also be available through Facebook!

Cardboard Crusader Trophy- Goes to the team who wins the Cardboard Crusader heat (see above).

The Wonder That Went Down Under Award

(Most Spectacular Sinking) - Awarded to the crew who, in the opinion of the staff, was the most spectacular in the way the ship and its crew went down.

Rules

• ·    The ENTIRE boat must be built of cardboard and duct tape

• ·   Any part of your boat that touches the water must be cardboard. This includes the hull, decking, keel, cowling, superstructure, oar locks, seating and rudder. Nuts, bolts, washers and staples are NOT allowed in hull construction. The cardboard may be as thick as you want, but may not be glued or attached to wood, plastic, fiberglass, etc.) Only exceptions are the paddles & decorations.

• ·    The boat will then be raced back to the original starting point for the end of the race.

• ·    The race must begin and end with the entire crew intact.

• ·    Any use of lane lines, sides of the pool for pushing or pulling your boat will result in a disqualification.

•       All crew members MUST sign a Participant Waiver/Hold Harmless Agreement on race day. Boats will not be allowed to race without a signed agreement from each race participant. Minimum of TWO crewmembers all boats are human powered. (Oars and paddles you provide are acceptable as propulsion tools)

• ·     Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted at any time

• ·    Decorations are encouraged -as long as they don’t effect structural strength or buoyancy

• ·    Boats CANNOT tow anything behind them for the safety of other boats.

• ·    The crew compartment CANNOT be enclosed so as to interfere with escape

• ·    Boats should weigh less than 200 lbs – This rule is for us. (Please keep your boat under 200 lbs. If you need help getting out of the pool, we need the odds stacked in our favor).

• ·    Care should be taken that construction does not include pointed objects and sharp edges that could injure anyone

• ·    Surfboard style designs are NOT allowed. Consider “staying dry” part of the challenge

Construction

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.

NO pre-treated cardboard allowed

NO Sona-Tubes, waxed or ‘treated’ cardboard

NO wood, plastic, Styrofoam or fiberglass

NO caulking compounds or two-part/mixed adhesives

NO Screws/staples/clamps/nails

NO WATER SOLUBLE PAINTS

NO OTHER MATERIALS CAN BE USED! 

Materials ALLOWED

     Duct tape may be used to reinforce seams, Hull wrapping in duct tape is allowed

·    Duct tape, masking tape, or adhesives such as ‘liquid nails’ CAN be used to connect cardboard to cardboard and CAN be used to reinforce all seams and stress points.

·    Raft style designs ARE allowed. (The distinguishing feature of a raft design as opposed to a surfboard style is the use of cardboard “logs” and other such accoutrements as one would expect to find in/on a raft. Think Huck Finn.)

·    Use cardboard boxes, “blocks” or carpet tubes

RACE DAY

Please check in (entire crew) at the registration table on race day no later than

10:00 a.m. Boats will race other boats around the pool. After the race, the boat crews must remove all cardboard, decorations and other materials from the water and the grounds. Volunteers will be on hand to help. You can take your boat home with you or dispose of it in on-site recycling bins.

If there is any doubt about the construction, the judges reserve the right to use a probe, such as an ice pick, to test and verify that only cardboard has been used. Failure to abide by any design, race rule or the direction of a race official shall be cause for disqualification. The Judges’ decision shall be final.

Racing

One teams races at a time. The order of which team goes first is done randomly.

There are 3 divisions in this competition, you may only compete in one division.

Teams

Teams consist of no more than 2 people.

Division Guidelines

Kids- 5-12

Teens-13-17

Adults 18 and older

Your score is determined by distance and time.

Example: Team 1’s boat drowns at 30 yards out and got there in 2 minutes. Team 2’s boat also drowns at 30 yards but got there in 1.50 seconds. Team 2 would be the winner based on time.

Judge’s ruling is final, please do not argue with the judges. Please remember this is a fun event and are here to simply have fun!

Cardboard Crusaders: Any boat that is still sea worthy (and a “finisher”) and not in the finals is allowed to participate in the Cardboard Crusaders race. This race is a two lap race with the winner receiving a special cardboard trophy.

The Finals:  The top 3 teams in each division who survive the water and make it back to shore will be entered into The Finals. This race will also be scored based on time and distance.