Cardboard Boat Challenge offers cash prizes

Canyon Lake’s annual Cardboard Boat Challenge will take place at the Mermaid Festival on June 23 at Indian Beach. The race is open to both adults and kids. Cash prizes are awarded to the winners.

The first place adult will receive $100. First place youth will be awarded $75. The Judges Choice and Best Dressed Vessel winners will receive $50 each.

Signups are taken at the POA office. Registration is free for those who sign up by June 15. Registration is $10 for those who sign up after June 15.

All vessels must be checked in between 9 and 10 a.m. at Indian Beach. A short pre-race meeting will take place at the judges’ tent at 11 a.m. The race will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Parental consent is required for minors to participate in the race.

The rules are as follows:

1. Applicants are subject to review and approval by the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club (CLWC). Failure to comply with any Cardboard Boat Challenge Rules and Regulations may result in elimination and possible exclusion from future Cardboard Boat Challenges.
2. Advanced Cardboard Boat Challenge registration is greatly encouraged. The deadline is June 15.
3. Vessels arriving for check-in that have not been registered by June 15 are subject to space and a $10 entry fee per boat.
4. All participants must wear a coast guard approved personal floatation device (PFD). No exceptions.
5. To be eligible to win the first place finish, the boat must remain afloat for the duration of the race. No tipping, rolling or swamping. All passengers must remain inside the boat for the duration of the race. Boat must be the first to cross the finish line.
6. To be eligible to win the youth first place finish, all passengers must be under the age of 16. Any passenger who looks like he or she could be 16 or older must bring proof of age. Boat must remain afloat for the duration of the race. No tipping, rolling or swamping. All passengers must remain inside the boat for the duration of the race. Boat must be the first to cross the finish line.
7. To be eligible to win the Best Dressed Vessel, boat must be decorated according to a mermaid/nautical or pirate theme. Extra consideration will be given for passengers dressed to match. Boat does not have to win the race but must finish.
8. Only duct tape or cardboard is allowed. No other materials can be used, including paint and wax finish.
9. Pre-race and/or post-race technical boat inspections will be conducted. The judges will be looking for any materials used that are not duct tape or cardboard. This includes any product that may be used to color, seal or waterproof the boat. No other materials can be used, even for flags.

Winner of first place will be inspected and will be disqualified if materials used do not conform.

10. Boat may used for advertisement purposes but may not be used as a political platform. No vulgar depictions will be permitted.
11. Boat sides must be 10 inches tall or greater and must have a solid bottom.
12. Legs and feet are to be contained inside the boat at all times.
13. Boat may only be propelled by utilizing arms, hands, paddles and/or oars. No motors, propellers, push poles, towing, dragging, etc.
14. Destruction of rival boat entries will not be tolerated. No deliberate splashing, water balloons, squirt guns, etc.

Questions about the Cardboard Boat Challenge should be directed to tammymurphy@hotmail.com with “Cardboard Boat Race” in the email subject line.