Organizers of the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta are looking for people that can build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it about a hundred yards on Aug. 1.

That’s all there is to it, find some old cardboard boxes and build a boat from them. It would help a lot if it stays afloat for a few minutes, but even if it doesn’t it might qualify you for our Titanic Award.

And this year we have added a division just for seniors 60 and older, so put the rocking chair away and get busy building a boat. And remember that the same boat can be used by the 12 and under kids, the teens, the whole family and the grandparents (as long as it holds afloat that long.)

The Town of Blades, in conjunction with Abbotts Mill Nature Center, DNREC’s Reclaim our Rivers Program (Nanticoke Series), the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the Nanticoke River Sail
& Power Squadron, the Nanticoke River Yacht Club and the Nanticoke River Arts Council, will present the Seventh Annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, Aug.1 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 N. Market St., Blades, Delaware. Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 2.

Registration begins at 11 am, pre-race judging takes place between noon and 12:30, the races will start promptly at 12:30 and the awards ceremony will be held at about 2 p.m. Food will be provided by Changing Fates Equine Rescue.

Right now, while we are all confined to our homes, would be a great time for your family to get a boat built. There are lots of ideas available online, but one of the best is from the Cape Coral Regatta in Florida: https://capecoralregatta.com/boat-building-101.html. Here are a few hints:

1. Boats may be any size, shape or design, but they must be made of recycled cardboard.

2. A plain cardboard box, even if it’s waterproofed, will collapse from the water pressure, so it needs to be strengthened by folding the edges over.

3. Your boat does not need sides very high. 12 inches high would be more than enough for even a large boat.

4. After your boat is built caulk all the seams and open edges with a latex caulk such as Alex-plus. When the caulk is completely dry paint the entire boat, inside and out, with as many coats of latex paint as you can. Make sure it dries well between coats. (Paint departments often have gallon cans of miss-mixed paint at very low prices.)

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone that can build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 100 yards.

First place awards will be given for winners of races in six different categories: Individuals, Families, Youth (12 and under), Teens (13 -18), Seniors (60 and older) Organizations & Businesses.

Awards will be given for “Pride of the Fleet” (best constructed boat), “Most Whimsical” (best decorated boat), and “Team Spirit” (dress, involvement with spectators and team spirit during the race).

If you decide to build a boat and you would like to challenge someone else to a head-to-head race, just fill out our challenge form and the fee for both boats is only $30 instead of $20 each ($40 on regatta day). Scout groups, Fire companies, Businesses – put your group’s name or logo on your boat for cheap advertising.

Registrations open on May 1. Information and rules can be found at:

http://www.delawarewatersheds.org/wp-content/files/FinalWebFlyer_Nanticoke_0214.pdf or email Steve Childers: snchilders@comcast.net.