2012 Puddle Duck World Championship Race

Sailing teams from throughout the United States and several other countries will converge on Moraine State Park in Portersville August 2nd - 5th to compete in the 2012 Puddle Duck World Championship race on Lake Arthur. 

The Puddle Ducks are coming in from as close as Ohio and as far away as Florida, Alabama and Canada. Qualifying races will take place on Sat., August 4th at 2 PM and the World Championship race will take place on Sun., August 5th at 10 AM. 

The 14th annual Regatta at Lake Arthur was awarded the right to host this year's competition as a result of the long-term efforts of John Bridges, a member of the event's planning committee.  

Within an 18-month span, 33 Puddle Duck sailboats were constructed in our region. Several more boats are anticipated to be built leading up to the 2012 World Championship race. 

The Puddle Duck World Championship is held at a different location each year. The 2011 World Championship Race took place on Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. While only 17 boats participated in the 2011 race, organizers of this year's championship on Lake Arthur are expecting 80 boats. 

These boxy, handmade sailboats can be constructed over a few weekends for $150 - $250. Basically, a Puddle Duck sailboat is a plywood box with a curved bottom and two air chambers used to keep it afloat. These simple hulls can be made from 3 sheets of plywood, glue and latex house paint. Although the hulls must conform to certain standards, the construction of the mast and sail is up to the individual builder. 

Sailing the boat is easy, and only involves pointing the boat in the direction you want to go and pulling the sail tight so it won't flap. The wind will do the rest. 

Registration to compete in the 2012 World Championship is free. Corporate, collegiate and non-profits interested in entering a Puddle Duck sailboat in the 2012 World Champion are encouraged to visit www.lakearthurregatta.org. For design specifications, building instructions and more information, please visit www.pdracer.com.