Yeah, it rules. And here are the rules.

FALL 2011 CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA RULES

1. Boat Design & Construction Boat Design & Construction

a. Boats must be constructed on-site by all participants.

b. All tribes will have the same amount of time to build their regatta boats.

c. Boats must be made/completed before the race.

d. Boats must be made ONLY of cardboard and duct tape.

i. No reinforced cardboard tubes, only broken-down cardboard boxes!

e. All tribes will have the exact same building materials.

i. Designated number of cardboard pieces which are provided.

ii. Designated number of duct tape provided by the Federation (2 rolls of 65-yards).

iii. Tribes may opt to use 1 roll (10 yards) of colored duct tape at their own expense for decoration purposes only. for decoration purposes only.

f. All boats will be made by parents and children together.

g. Cardboard cannot be sealed with any paint or sealants.

h. Boats must not exceed a maximum width of 60" or 5 ft and a maximum length of 84" or 7 ft.

i. There is no maximum height requirement.

i. Boats must be completely enclosed/with sides (no raft or catamaran designs) and must permit the crew to remain fully on top of the vessel without dangling extremities.

j. Boats must be propelled by the use of hands and/or paddles.

i. No artificial (i.e. preconstructed or manufactured oar from a marina or boat store) paddles are allowed.

ii. Teams can construct and use paddles/oars made of cardboard and duct tape.

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

FALL 2011 CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA RULES

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2. Racing Format

a. Boats shall be designed to race with a two-person crew. Boats shall be designed to race with a two-person crew.

b. Each person racing must pass the YMCA swim test. Each person racing must pass the YMCA swim test.

c. Each person will be equipped with a personal flotation device if necessary. Each person will be equipped with a personal flotation device if necessary.

d. Teams consist of 4 children (5 with an alternate) as tribe size will permit. Teams consist of 4 children (5 with an alternate) as tribe size will permit.

i. 2 kids will start at one end of the pool and race to the other end where the remaining 2 kids will be waiting. 2 kids will start at one end of the pool and race to the other end where the remaining 2 kids will be waiting.

1. If the tribe consists of less than 4 kids total, the tribe may opt to keep the same 2 kids as the "sailors" and 1 kid as the assistant for both ends of the pool. If the tribe consists of less than 4 kids total, the tribe may opt to keep the same 2 kids as the "sailors" and 1 kid as the assistant for both ends of the pool.

ii. The 2 kids in the boat will switch with the 2 kids waiting on the pool deck. (The original crewmembers may jump out of the boat upon reaching the checkpoint.) The 2 kids in the boat will switch with the 2 kids waiting on the pool deck. (The original crewmembers may jump out of the boat upon reaching the checkpoint.)

1. Upon reaching the opposite end of the pool, every boat will be assisted by tribe members to be rotated so that the front of the boat faces the starting side of the pool. Upon reaching the opposite end of the pool, every boat will be assisted by tribe members to be rotated so that the front of the boat faces the starting side of the pool.

iii. The boat will then be raced back to the original starting point for the end of the race. The boat will then be raced back to the original starting point for the end of the race.

iv. Teammates who are not in the boat may help push the boat away from the pool deck from either end of the pool. Teammates who are not in the boat may help push the boat away from the pool deck from either end of the pool.

1. If the kids are not comfortable with actually being in the pool, they may stand on the pool’s edge and push and/or rotate the boat. If the kids are not comfortable with actually being in the pool, they may stand on the pool’s edge and push and/or rotate the boat.

2. If the kids are comfortable being in the water, 1 – 2 kids who are not riding/sailing in the boat may: If the kids are comfortable being in the water, 1 – 2 kids who are not riding/sailing in the boat may:

a. Walk and push the boat from the shallow end of the pool until the water is chest high. Walk and push the boat from the shallow end of the pool until the water is chest high.

i. These kids may not push the boat while swimming.


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b. At the opposite end of the pool, 1 – 2 non-riding or non-sailing kids may hold onto the edge of the pool and can help rotate the boat to face the opposite side of the pool/starting end. At the opposite end of the pool, 1 – 2 non-riding or non-sailing kids may hold onto the edge of the pool and can help rotate the boat to face the opposite side of the pool/starting end.

i. These kids may not push the boat while swimming, treading water, or floating. These kids may not push the boat while swimming, treading water, or floating.

v. Based on number of members/tribe size, a tribe may be assigned 2 boats in order to allow maximum number of tribe members’ participation. Based on number of members/tribe size, a tribe may be assigned 2 boats in order to allow maximum number of tribe members’ participation.

e. The race must begin and end with the 2-person crew intact. The race must begin and end with the 2-person crew intact.

f. Swimming and/or pulling the boat, or the use of lane lines will result in disqualification. Swimming and/or pulling the boat, or the use of lane lines will result in disqualification.

i. No adults (other than YMCA lifeguards) are allowed in the water during the race. No adults (other than YMCA lifeguards) are allowed in the water during the race.

g. Heats will consist of, at most, 6 boats at a time. Heats will consist of, at most, 6 boats at a time.

h. Each boat will travel 50 yards or 2 lengths of the pool. Each boat will travel 50 yards or 2 lengths of the pool.

i. Time from heats will determine the placement for finals; the fastest 5 times from heats will race for the Fastest Boat overall. Time from heats will determine the placement for finals; the fastest 5 times from heats will race for the Fastest Boat overall.

i. This can be adjusted based on number of participants.This can be adjusted based on number of participants.