Cardboard boat races to be held

By Tracy Bell

Published: July 17, 2008

STAFFORD — The fifth-annual cardboard boat regatta will be held Saturday at Aquia Landing. Children and adults with a penchant for sailing are expected to flock to the tiny beach at the end of Brooke Road beginning at 11:30 a.m. to kick off the festivities.

The fun will last until about 2 p.m., according to event coordinator Art Hart, who notes that the boating contest is open to just about everyone — ages 7 to 95, that is.

Participants will bring their boats to show and race. The boats will be made of cardboard, glue, tape and paint. Boaters typically create a theme when they’re decorating their boats, and participants in the past have been known to dress in elaborate costumes. Others opt for simple boats and subdued waterwear.
Hailed as a fun family event, the regatta each year allows children and adults alike to express their creativity and work together in a friendly yet competitive setting. Classes have even been held prior to the event in order to show participants how to properly create a cardboard boat.

A panel of judges, including Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde, will critique the boats in categories including quality, team effort, liklihood of floating and more. Then, the contestants will jump into their boats and race them around buoys, heading back to the shoreline, where the finish line will be set up.
Milde, who competed one year in the contest with his son during campaign time, said this is his third year as a judge at cardboard boat regatta.

“I’m delighted that I get to be a part of the event. It’s always a lot of fun,“ said Milde. “It’s great to see how creative some of the boat-builders are.“

The event will be sponsored by the Rock Hill Ruritan Club and the Stafford Department of Recreation. In addition, area businesses have contributed, in order to make the event a success.

For more information, visit rockhillruritans.org.