Get ready for some splash-tastic fun!
General Rules
HAVING FUN IS MANDATORY!
– Crew costumes are highly encouraged.
– The registration cost is $25 per boat.
– All cardboard boat teams/organizations must register via Sportsman (Click HERE)
– You will be racing against the clock. The fastest time wins the prizes listed below.
Awards will be presented at the Cardboard Boat Race for the following categories:
– Cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.
– Pride of the Hills – Awarded to the organization with the most creative design and best costumes for the race.
– Titanic Award – Awarded to the organization with the most spectacular or dramatic sink.
Allowed Supplies:
– Corrugated cardboard
– Elmer’s wood glue
– Liquid nails
– Duct tape
– Water-based paint
– One pool noodle (diameter no bigger than 6 inches)
Forbidden Materials:
– Cardboard manufactured for shipping (waxed, weather-sealed, rolled, pressed, reinforced, etc.) is not allowed.
– Fiberglass resins and plastic epoxies
– Metal
– Plastic
– Foam core boards or Styrofoam
– Pasteboard or chipboard types of cardboard
– Non-corrugated cardboard
– Cardboard that has been factory-coated with wax
– Metal foils
Safety – The safety of participants, spectators, staff, and competition is the top priority and must be treated as such during all races. All competitors must wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while racing.
Boat Design – Builders are free to design their boats as they wish. Let your imagination take over; you can make your boat look like a race car, flying saucer, dragon, etc., as long as the decoration does not aid in flotation.
Pre-Race Safety Meeting – All competitors must attend the pre-race meeting held on the day of the event.
Conduct – Competitors are responsible for acting in a sportsman-like manner, avoiding collisions at all times, and adhering to rules and safety guidelines. Overly aggressive contact or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification at the discretion of event organizers. Examples include but are not limited to:
– Purposely obstructing or interfering with another competitor.
– Causing damage or bodily harm to another competitor.
– Using profane language toward any person or competitor.
Age Requirements – Participants must be at least 6 years old to compete in the race unless accompanied by an older sibling or adult in the boat.
Other Rules:
– Boats must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard and propelled by human power using paddles or oars (canoe and kayak paddles or oars are allowed, plastic only).
– Boat inspections and the captains’ meeting will be held at 9:15am The race starts at 10am sharp.
– Boats and team members may not intentionally interfere with any other team or boat; failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.
– All boats must be staffed with two team members.
– The judges reserve the right to tear apart and/or inspect any boat.
– Boats will have to maneuver a 25-yard course in a wide lane in the deep end of VHAC.
– Competitors must remain in the boat to complete the event.
– All teams must completely dispose of their boats in the outside waste container after the event is completed.
– You cannot wrap the entire boat with plastic, duct tape, or any similar tape or wrap. Duct tape can only be used at seams and stress points.
– Boats may not exceed 1 inch in thickness of cardboard.
– Contestants should ensure that the construction of their boat does not include pointed projections or sharp edges that could cause personal injury.