If you're not familiar with the concept of a cardboard boat regatta, here it is in a nutshell: teams of 2-8 people build boats made entirely of cardboard (along with a few other allowed materials, such as glue, tape, and paint) in which they race around a course on a lake competing for the fastest finish. Best things about watching a cardboard boat regatta: Admiring the creativity in the various boats' design. Appreciating the contestants' enthusiasm and spirit (and in some cases, costumes). Cheering with abandon for the winners, for those who fight gallantly just to finish the course, and for those whose boats sink spectacularly somewhere along the way. Here are a few pics I took as we perused the boats before the races began.
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| Star Wars boat, complete with crew in costume |
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| Mario Karts. On display, the three boats were separate. For competition, they had to be connected. Unfortunately, that didn't last long, and Luigi never did make it to the finish line. |
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| Travis posing with "Made in the USA" |
My friend Jim and his buddies have been building boats and competing in this event for over a decade. Each year they pick a theme and go all out. This year their boat was a Harley. Here they are after rounding the second buoy and racing for the finish line. Eight grown men in a cardboard boat -- who would've thought that could work? Made in the USA took 1st place in the "Legends" division and also won the judge's award for Best Looking Boat. Congrats to Jim & the Harley crew!
For photos from professional photojournalists with zoom lenses, check this out.
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