Build a Boat for a Cardboard Boat Regatta
The Cardboard Boat Regatta is just one of the many activities planned during Camp North Liberty on Friday, June 21, around the North Liberty Community Center.
The five Ws
- Who: Adults and children (ages 5 and older). All are welcome to attend and cheer on participants.
- What: Cardboard Boat Regatta
- Where: Outdoor Pool, 520 W Cherry St.
- When: Friday, June 21. Competitors check-in at 6 p.m. Races begin at 6:30 p.m.
- Why: Put your cardboard boat creation to the test for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights!
Registration
Due to overwhelming response we have had to close registration for this first time event. This is event is Free to participate in. You are welcome to join the waitlist with the form online here.
No registration is needed to attend and cheer on boats and sailors.
Racers — and their completed boats — should arrive to the pool deck by 6 p.m. to check-in and have boats inspected.
Register
Divisions and Prizes
Come ready to race with your homemade boat completed prior to the event.
Three divisions for competition include:
- Minors: Maximum of two children between the ages of 7-17.
- Adults: Maximum of 2 adults per boat.
- Family: One adult and one child. Child must be 5+ years of age.
Trophies will be awarded by City staff for the following:
- Speed Boat Award: the team in each division that completes the course in the fastest amount of time (or travels the farthest before sinking).
- One team — across all divisions — will be awarded the:
- Titanic Award: the most spectacular sinking of the day.
- Design Star Award: the best design and theme (including boat and crew).
Cardboard Boat Rules
To protect the pool and for fair competition, only the following construction supplies are permitted:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Duct tape (including colored tape)
- Packaging tape
- Stickers
- Sharpie markers
- Crayons
- Paddles do not need to be made of cardboard. Racers may bring their own or use the provided event paddles.
Participants must construct their boats prior to 6 p.m. check in., at which all boats must pass inspection by aquatics staff to confirm only approved materials were used before entering the water.
The City has a limited number of cardboard and duck tape available. Sign up here to claim free supplies.
Racers should bring
- Their cardboard boat.
- Swimsuit. All racers must wear swimming attire while in the pool.
- Life jackets. All racers are required to wear a lifejacket and only coastguard-approved life jackets are allowed. The outdoor pool has child-sized lifejackets available upon request, but adults will need to bring their own.
- Towels
- Paddle(s). Competitors are welcome to bring their own paddles or use the paddles provided at the event.
- Friends to cheer you on!
Race Rules
- All participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability the day of the event prior to entering the pool.
- Team members in the boat must not be enclosed above the shoulders and must always be visible while the boat is in the water. Participants cannot lay down or stand up in the boat.
- Team members who start the race must finish the race without leaving the interior of the boat. If a team member exits the boat for any reason during the race, that will end the competition for that team.
- Teams are not allowed to sabotage anyone else’s boat. Any roughhousing in the water will lead to disqualification.
- When a boat has finished the race, the team must remove the boat and any leftover cardboard debris from the water area and dispose of it at the designated trash area.
- Judging will be based on completion time of the race or distance traveled and time the boat sinks.
- Any questions concerning construction guidelines must be clarified before the day of the event and can be directed to [email protected].
- Life jackets must be worn while in the pool.
- All racing participants must follow the Aquatic Center requirements for swimming attire.
- No pets allowed.
Download a copy of the North Liberty Carboard Regatta Rules 2024.
You also might be wondering
- This event is free. No daily fee or membership is required during this designated time.
- Lifeguards will be on duty.
- Only those participating in the Regatta will be allowed in the pool during the event. Spectators are welcome on the pool deck and lawn.
- The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape and other electronic smoking devices are prohibited in North Liberty parks, trails and public recreation areas.
Camp North Liberty
The Cardboard Boat Regatta is just one of the many activities happening on June 21 around the Community Center. Check the Camp North Liberty schedule and join us for live music, crafts, swimming, an outdoor movie and camping!
Who to thank
This event is part of the City Slate. The yearlong schedule of events is made possible by A2Z Heating & Plumbing, Centro, Inc, Collins Community Credit Union, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union.
Stay in the loop
- In the event of inclement weather, the Cardboard Boat Regatta will be moved to the indoor pool. Updates will be posted in the Facebook event.
- Share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram.
- Stay connected with the City by subscribing to the North Liberty Bulletin or signing up for news alerts.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation at our events for individuals with disabilities. For accommodations, please reach out to [email protected] or call (319) 626-5755.
More City Slate Fun
This event is part of the City Slate, a compilation of North Liberty’s largest and free city-produced events, with more than 40 events planned in 2024. Explore the schedule at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.
