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Cardboard Boat Race
Date and Time
Sunday Aug 7, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDTSunday, August 7, 2023 at 12 noon
All Contestants must arrive at 11:15 a.m. for boat inspection, judging, and media photos.
Location
Port of Orillia/ Centennial Park
Fees/Admission
Free, but must register. Participants are responsible for their own boat building supplies, lifejackets/ PFDs, and paddles.
Contact Information
Orillia District Chamber of Commerce
Send EmailCardboard Boat RaceDescription
The Cardboard Boat Race is part of the Orillia Waterfront Festival. Contestants will paddle home-made cardboard watercrafts through the designated race course, competing for titles including Best Dressed Crew, Biggest Boat, Smallest Boat, Longest Floating Boat, and The Titanic Award (for most spectacular sinking).
Anyone is welcome to enter and both team and single participant entries are accepted. All participants must register online no later than August 3, 2022, and every participant must bring and wear their own lifejacket or PFD.
Rules- boats can be any size
- the outside and inside of the structure of the boat hull must be of cardboard construction
- the hull may be painted no type of waterproof coating or sealing is permitted
- wood and metal construction is not permitted
- the inside of the boat may be filled with buoyant materials, but NO STYROFOAM (pool noodles are permitted)
- Styrofoam is not permitted whatsoever for boat construction
- Boat crews are responsible for removing all remnants of their craft to the designated recycling bin
Building a cardboard boat is a fun family or team activity!
Building a cardboard boat doesn't require any expensive tools or materials- all you need are some basic supplies, cardboard, and a little creativity! It's can be a great activity to do with kids, or a unique teambuilding opportunity for the workplace.
Here are some tips for building a cardboard boat:- Start with a plan: While boat building is a creative process, a little and planning can go a long way to ensure the best results and reduce the potential for frustrations. If you haven't built a boat before, YouTube is an excellent resource!
- Gather your materials: You don't need anything fancy, but there are a few essentials for building your cardboard boat. Tape and cardboard are the two most important items you will need. Duct tape and/ or packing tape are typically the most reliable options. Large cardboard boxes are usually the best source for cardboard. In addition to cardboard and tape, and depending on your boat design, you may also need paint, glue, and buoyant material (not styrofoam).
- Assemble your boat: Assembling your boat will take at least a few hours. A second coat of paint will likely be required, so it's a good idea to set aside an additional time for this at least a day after your initial build.
