Cardboard and duct tape: Does that float your boat?
Time to find out on Saturday, Sept. 6, when the inaugural Cardboard Regatta will be held in the waters of Cockrell Creek, Reedville. The regatta is for all ages. The people-powered boats can be built ahead of time or on-site that day. Spectators and volunteers are encouraged to come cheer on the racers.
The regatta is sponsored by the Northern Neck Wooden Boat School.
“It’s about the kids having fun and being creative, with an element of competition,” said David Clark, co-founder of the Boat School and the regatta organizer.
There will be a special guest for this first event: Commander Cardboard. The commander is the alter ego of Don Boehl, a serious boatman from Maryland, who has attended dozens of cardboard boat regattas over the years.
Clark said Boehl was vital in getting the first Reedville regatta organized, and he will be there for mentoring, coaching and general frivolity.
All activities are near the foot of Main Street in the village. Check-in will be at 8 a.m. with on-site boat-building starting at 8:30 a.m. Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. and probably will conclude around 4.
Entry fee per boat is $125. Sponsorships are available at that level and at $250, $500 and $1,000. Some sponsors are building a boat; others are letting local youngsters build a boat at no charge, said Clark.
There are eight categories for the boats, with trophies for first and second places in each. At the end of the day there will be a free-for-all, where all class winners will race for the soon-to-be-coveted Reedville Cup, a perpetual trophy.
Trophies will be awarded for the most spectacular sinking, best designed boat, best theme, and commander’s choice.
Registration is limited to 20 boats. Advance signup is encouraged to ensure a space, plus to make sure sufficient cardboard and duct tape is available for on-site building. Entrants should bring their own mastic sealant and any paint or decorations they want to use.
“Without sealing, you’ll be in the running for the ‘submarine’ or ‘Titanic’ award,” Clark said.
Teams from Alexandria and Norfolk have already signed up to race, Clark said.
The starting line will be off the pier at Reedville Oyster Co. Boats will race around a buoy off the pier at The Gables, then back to the starting line.
If building a boat that day, construction will be on the lawn of the former bank building (becoming a coffee house) across from the oyster company.
Required flotation devices will be provided. Closed-toe shoes are required in the boats; no sandals or flip-flops.
Among the volunteers are those from the Boat School, Northern Neck Sail and Power Squadron, Junior ROTC, Knights of Columbus, and Smith Point Sea Rescue.
Food trucks have been invited to set up near the event and there are a few restaurants/cafes in or near Reedville. Or bring your own snacks and beverages.
If it’s raining, the regatta will be held as long as conditions are safe, Clark said. “That’s what watermen do. Get out in your boat anyway. Wear your rain gear.”
For details on boat construction and how to register, contact Clark at 804-453-8609 or info@NNKWoodenBoatSchool.org.