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This
event is destined to become one of Virginia
Beach's most fun and rewarding fundraisers.
For details call David Rourk at (757) 478-0150. |
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By Cindy Butler Focke, The Virginian-Pilot - August 17, 2006
OCEANFRONT — Boat builders don’t typically select a material that absorbs water – unless they plan to participate in the Cardboard Boat Regatta.
The fourth annual race, set for Sept. 7 at Ocean Breeze Water Park, offers families, friends and businesses the chance to design, build and navigate a one-of-a-kind boat made entirely of corrugated cardboard.
“It’s a great time,” said David Mount , director of Street Outreach Programs for Seton Youth Shelters and event-day chairperson.
Proceeds will assist underserved youths in the Seatack community. The event is a collaboration between The Virginia Beach Foundation and its Beach Fund, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Department, Taylor’s Do-It Centers, the Seatack Neighborhood Assistance Program, and residents of the Seatack community.
Kempsville resident Tasneem Dharamsi, 18, is a youth ambassador with Seton Youth Shelters and was a member of its cardboard boat team last year.
Dharamsi helped with construction, which included cutting cardboard and caulking, and remembered the exciting race against the Boy Scouts.
“We crammed so many people in the boat that it started ripping. Our boat was in pieces,” she said.
The Seton group will compete again this year.
Don Macauley, youth ambassador adviser for Seton Youth Shelters, said the project is a “real team-building experience.” The youths come up with the design, then purchase cardboard sheets and “bend, cut, paste and hope it floats. It’s a wonderful event,” he said.
Debbi Steiger, executive director of the Virginia Beach Foundation, said the day is a great way for companies to “do something neat for their employees.”
Mount said last year 28 cardboard creations filled with adventurers entered the competition. Participants may register in the youth category, for ages 8 to 13, or adult, for ages 14 and older.
Entry fees are based on the number of crew members, and there are two classes of boat categories. Class I boats must be propelled by canoe or kayak oars or paddles, while Class II boats must be propelled by other means, such as mechanical paddle systems.
Decorated boats are welcome and encouraged.
Boats race in pairs in the waterpark’s wave pool, minus waves. Their seaworthiness is tested when the wave machine is switched to on.
Information needed to build a cardboard boat, plus rules and diagrams of the watery race course, can be found on www.vabeachfoundation.org.
Myriad trophies will be awarded, including Best of Show, People’s Choice and Fastest Finish. A special Judges Award is offered for anyone interested in bribing a judge to benefit the Beach Fund, a younger subdivision of the Virginia Beach Foundation.
The Titanic Award will go to the cardboard vessel that sinks in the most spectacular fashion.
• Reach Beacon correspondent Cindy Butler Focke at butler496@aol.com.
COURTESY PHOTO
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