Lower Merion Rec Hosting Cardboard Boat Regatta Thursday

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA – Lower Merion Township Recreation is hosting a boat race Thursday. But not just any boat race: a cardboard boat regatta.

Belmont Hills Pool in Bala Cynwyd will be home to the 2017 Lower Merion Township Cardboard Boat Regatta at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24.

The regatta tasks participants with creating a cardboard boat – which is a feat in its own right – using only cardboard and duct tape. Participants must then put their boats to the test with races.

There will be two divisions at Thursday's regatta:

• Guppies — For parents who desire to compete with their kids;
• Dolphins — For kids 17 and under. No parents allowed.

Several awards are available, but racers must follow these rules:

• Boats shall be designed to race with a maximum of a two person crew.
• The race must begin and end with the crew intact.
• Crew members may help push the boat away from the pool deck at the beginning of the race.
• Each boat will travel one length of the pool; "Guppies" division boats will do two lengths.
• Heats will consist of a maximum of five boats.
• Time from heats will determine the placement for finals and the fastest finishers from each heat will race for the fastest boat overall.

Awards will be given for first, second, and third place finish for each division, along with two specialized awards.

The Spirit Award will be given to the boat and crew after boats are judged on design and creativity. The Titanic Award will be presented to the team of the boat that sinks in the most spectacular fashion.

The Belmont Hills Pool is located at 122 Mary Waters Ford Road, Bala Cynwyd.

Image via COD Newsroom, Flickr Commons