Cardboard Boat Regatta 2011: Smaller is Faster

Stafford County, Va. –– There are keys to winning a cardboard boat race: use multiple layers of cardboard so it floats, keep the design simple, and make sure the boat has enough speed rowers aboard.

“It’s a very strong boat. We’re very proud of this boat. It’s very good,” said Noah, 7, who won the Grand Finale race at the 8th Annual Stafford County Boat Regatta on Saturday.

Noah’s boat, the Parrot Head, was shaped like a traditional speed boat, which gave it a speedy advantage over some of the other more elaborately-designed boats.

The 8 foot by 4 foot “Coke Float” boat, made to look like a six-pack soda bottle container, had each of its crew members cardboard hats made to look like Coke bottle caps.

“Originally, we wanted to make it look like a six pack of beer but the beer logos are harder to design, so we made it a little more family-friendly, painted it red and called it the ‘Coke Float,’” said Billy Schlotter, 27, of Stafford.

The annual event is held at Aquia Landing Park on the Potomac River. All of the 17 participating cardboard boats this year were judged for their creativity and on their river-faring abilities.

Afterward, each of the boats are raced in seven heats each in their own category, boaters ages 7-14, ages 15-50, the parents and children’s race and the race for boats entered by local businesses.

The event’s organizer, the Rockhill Ruitan Club, held two cardboard boat making classes prior to the races so novices could learn the secrets to making a successful boat.

David Rittenouiz, of Stafford, attended one of the classes but still had one of his two boats sink.

“The sides of the boat collapsed and we started taking on water. My kids said we sank because of ‘dad’s weight’ but I’m not sure if that’s true,” he said.

Those who didn’t make their own boats could rent one of three standby boats for $10 each.