Cardboard Boat Regatta

What is a Boat Regatta?

A boat regatta is a hilarious cardboard-and-duct-tape showdown where teams race their handmade boats across the water—hoping they float long enough to cross the finish line!

May 2nd | Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center
Presented by Sunrise Engineering, Mt. Pleasant City, and the Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center

Think you can build a boat that actually floats?

Grab your cardboard, roll out the duct tape, and put your engineering skills to the test at this year’s Cardboard Boat Regatta! Whether you’re in it to win it or just hoping to sink in style, this is one event you don’t want to miss.

EVENT DETAILS

Location: Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center 
Boat Check-In: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
(Racing begins shortly after check-in)

All boats must be inspected and approved before racing.

 AGE DIVISIONS

• 9 & Under

• 10–17

• 18+

• Family (at least 1 parent and 1 child)

Participants may compete individually or as a team (see team limits below).

RULES

1. Boats may be constructed only from cardboard and duct tape

2. Maximum boat size: 4 feet wide x 6 feet long

3. Maximum of 2 people per boat

No wood, plastic, metal, flotation devices, or additional materials are allowed. Judges reserve the right to inspect and disqualify boats that do not meet requirements.

 WHAT TO EXPECT

• Friendly competition

• Creative boat designs

• Big splashes

• Community fun

• Bragging rights

Build it. Paddle it. Try not to sink it.

We can’t wait to see what you create!

Register today and start building!

Regatta Rules-

Rules are intended to inform individuals and teams of the rules and guidelines for the Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center Cardboard Boat Regatta. The following rules are designed to be fair and equitable for all contestants and must be followed by all participants.

Construction Material & Rules:

1. Boats must be built BEFORE THE RACE.

2. The ENTIRE boat must be built ONLY of cardboard and duct tape. NO reinforced cardboard tubes. Only broken-down cardboard boxes.

3. No resin, no resin paints, no fiberglass, no plastic, no laminations of any kind, etc.

4. Cardboard cannot be sealed with any sealants.

5. Duct tape may be of varying colors for creativity, but must have been manufactured in said color.

6. Decorations are encouraged – as long as they don’t affect structural strength and buoyancy.

7. Boats may be a maximum width of 48” (4 ft.) and a maximum length of 72” (6 ft.).

8. There is no maximum height requirement.

9. Boats must be propelled by the use of a paddle and/or hands.

• a. Paddles can be regular canoe/kayak paddles
• c. Only one paddle per rower per boat.

10. No physical contact will be allowed between the boat race contestants during the race.

11. If any illegal items are used in construction and are discovered during the pre-or post-race inspection, the boat will be disqualified.

All boats must be displayed ALONG THE FENCE of the Splash Pad no later than 10am, Saturday, May 2, 2026. Boats will be inspected and on display 9:00am to 10:00am. The contest will begin at approximately 10:15am.

Participant Rules:

1. All participants must complete and sign a registration form prior to event.

2. EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST WEAR A PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE (PDF).

3. Crew costumes are encouraged. Let your imagination take over.

4. Boats must carry no more than 2 occupants.

5. The compartment CANNOT be enclosed so as to interfere with escape. The rowers must be visible at all times. The rowers who start the race must finish the race without leaving the interior of the boat.

6. Crew must be in or on the vessel. You are not permitted to have dangling extremities.

7. During competition, the rowers must be IN the boat- not towing it, or holding it between their legs, swimming, or allowing the PFD to provide the floatation of the vessel.

8. Throwing water on another boat is reason for disqualification.

9. Sunken or discarded boats must be disposed of per management’s approval.

Awards:

Participation Awards, Overall Best Theme for each Age Division and 1st and 2nd Place for each Age Division.

Age Divisions:

• 9 and under (Adult assistance required to participate)
• 10-17 years of age
• 18+ years

Age categories are subject to change depending on the registration of participants.

For questions, please contact:

Britanny Adams 435-462-1333 b.adams@mpcityut.gov or

Debbie James 435-462-2456 d.james@mpcityut.gov.