Paddlin' 4 Paws Cardboard Boat Regatta Races

ten boats arrived to play and we raised $1,000.  The next year, 2010 we had 35 boats and 77 rowers competing for 23 photo plaques and other awards.  We raised $5,500.  And in 2011 we had 34 boats and rowers competing for photo plaques and we raised over $12,300 for our Shelter animal needs.  

We have great supportive partners assisting us (see Sponsor Page) and many dedicated volunteers including photographers, judges, boat inspectors, cooks and servers, and the all important paper pushers who make it all happen. We welcome you as a volunteer, competitor, sponsor or spectator; no reasonable offer refused !  Even if you don't ROW ROW ROW a boat you will have a lot of laffs.  And while you and the family are having fun, please be assured that all proceeds from our event program, boat entry fees, silent auctions, raffles, RCAS lunch food, RCAS booth and event t-shirts, ALL go directly to RCAS to benefit our animals.

  What the heck is a cardboard boat and can it really float ?
You build a boat using our designs if you like, then get you and you friends inside it and row it around the course buoys for awards and fame.  Don't laugh, cardboard boats can float, and last year many boats raced three times.  And of those we expect many will return and go for it again.  But here's the catch; You may only use corrugated cardboard (layered, it is strong), a little Liquid Nails, contact cement, masking tape, and water proofers (paint, varnish, Thompson's).  But no wood, styrofoam, fiberglass, or  plastic .... except for your oars and paddles.  Download the "How to Build A Killer Boat and Race It' manual for boat designs, approved materials, and race rules. So wear costumes, have rowing theme music, or bring a lively rooting section with you. We have had rowers from age 4.5 - 76 and you too will have a blast !

So don't hang on the shoreline this year scoffing at our ugly boats; Shanghai a crew of your workers, kids, clubs and church groups and begin collection sturdy corrugated cardboard.  We will get you started with a 11' x 5.5' free piece of new cardboard for your hull, plus 10% off on builder's supplies at participating retailers.

The races:
We try to put similar type and size craft and similar age groups into competitive race heats.  
Youth is defined as ages 4.5 - 12 years.   Adult is age 13+
                                            Awards are based on age, boat design, and number of rowers 

Your boat entry fee entitles your boat crew to row in 4 possible races, in this order;
1.  Timed heat trials:  All boats race in the heats.  Up to 9 boats per heat.   
2.  Grudge Match Race:  you and your arch rival both register to oppose each other in this race.
3.  Parent - Youth Race:  Parent(s) and Youth(s) team up.  Youth(s) must be 11 or under.
4.  Flotilla Race:  Open to all boats that can still float. 
5.  Water NASCAR Demolition Derby; Open to all boats that don't mind 'trashing' their boats.  The last boat
     floating, with the entire crew inside the boat, wins the highly coveted Plundering Pirate award.  Contestants
     may also do 'battle' with water soaker guns, pull people out of boats, turn boats over, etc.  Absolutely no hitting
     w/paddles, feet, hands, swords or sharp objects.  This is FRIENDLY combat only ! 
     "

How to enter a boat: 
You may enter by mail, or come to RCAS office, (all race entries must complete registration by 11am on race day).  Advance pre-paid entries are eligible to receive one free 11' x 5.5' piece of 'hull' cardboard, while supplies last.  You will need your Builders ID card to pickup at Norton Flooring in Wedowee.  This ID card will also allow you 10% off builder's supplies (as per our supply list) at Wedowee Building Supply, Russell Do It Center in Roanoke, and Planters Hardware in Ashland.

Boat Builder Classes
To assist you we offer hands on 'boat building' classes, with instructive techniques, and exhibit actual boats.... that will race AGAIN.  Bring your supplies to class and get our help !  Usually we hold one class each,
in Roanoke and Lineville in early February.  See the downloads section for a photo of what to bring to class.  If you pay your entry fee at class, you may take home your free piece of cardboard (bring tie downs/tarp for wind and rain). 

Entry fee
One fee per boat and crew: covers all crew members in your boat, in all eligible races.
Get your entry forms in to RCAS by 5/3/12, to avoid paying a $10 late registration fee.

Your boat fee depends on what category you fall into:
a)  Non-profit boat:  $25 entry fee; for individual(s), groups of friends, clubs, or any similar non-profit
     organization.  You build and row your boat in the races.  You may have your non-profit name on the boat
     hull. 
b)  Sponsored Boat:  $50 entry fee;  you build and row your 'for profit' business boat in the races.  
      You may advertise your business name, product or insignia on the hull or attached to the boat.
c)  'Adopt A Boat': $100  A 'for profit' business sponsor pays $100 to 'adopt' a crew to build and row your boat. 
      You can field your own crew to 'adopt' or request one from us.  Your $100 includes their $50 entry fee, 
      and $50 for their boat building supplies.  You may advertise your business name, product, or insignia on
      the hull or attached to the  boat.  Call 256)363-1056 for assistance in finding a crew to build, or a sponsor to help you.

      
Mandatory Boat Disposal fee:   Refundable
Each entered boat must pay a $10 deposit for boat disposal.  To get your $10 back all you have to do is take your boat off the Chimney Cove property after the races and awards.  When you drive past the guard shack on the way out, a RCAS rep will refund the $10 to the driver of the vehicle with a competing boat in it (one refund per boat).  Please claim your refund before we close at 5:00pm.  At 5pm abandoned boats and unclaimed deposits become the sole property of RCAS.

2012 List of Awards - click link to see the rest of our 26 photo plaque awards:
1.   Pint Size Pirate;           Crew average age 12 and under;
2.   Old Wheezy Geezer;    Crew average age 55+ ;
3.   Mr. Toad's Wild Ride;   How did we ever make it?;
4.   Smarty Pants;              Best creative or unique boat design
5.   Full Monty;                   Best costume and theme
6.   Dead Mackerel;           Ugly duckling boat
7.   The Dinghy;                   Smallest vessel to finish race with crew inside
8.   Best Hurry Up & Get It Made Boat; It's not pretty, but it's ours!
9.   Titanic;                          Spectacular unintentional sinking after more than 50' of travel. Must try to save their ship
10. Yellow Submarine;      We didn't have a chance from the start
11. Swimming 'Round the Bend; Longest swim through the course
12. Full Speed Ahead;       The fastest boat in race trials
13. Popeye's Spinach;       Fastest Finisher in Grudge Match finals
14. Greased Lightning;      Swiftest Boat in the Final race
15. Plundering Pirate:       Winner of the Demolition Derby (last boat rowing)

   HELP ME ! We seek 2012 GOLD STAR Sponsors and Advertisers:
If you like what you are seeing, would you do us the favor of introducing us to Possible sponsors?  Please contact me or the Shelter.  We have a track record of three boat races and three ski meets, and photos to prove we can pull a crowd, run a safe event, and raise awareness for our Shelter...all while having a blast.  All our profits go directly to RCAS for OUR animals. 
                                  Let's talk promotion !  We want to roll out the red carpet for your company or product. 
                                            2012 Advertiser opportunities for the Cardboard Boat Race will be coming soon.



Boat Builders Downloads and Resources 

1.  How to Build A Killer Boat and Race It   8 pages:  boat designs, ideas, approved materials list, race rules
2.  2012 Race Awards
3.  2012 Boat Race Registration Packet  All rowers/boat entries fill out
4.  'Adopt A Boat' Sponsor Packet  to 'hire a crew' to build and row your business boat with your logo
5.  Liability Waiver Release  All rowers must fill one out
6.  Photo of builder's supplies to bring to class
7.  Google search engine:  LOTS of info.  Type in key words as cardboard boat, cardboard boat images, cardboard boat design
8.  Excellent vids on boat construction  Video One   Video Two
9.  Boat design photo and plan   THE boat spec plans

Additional resources to inspire/perspire over:  Let this info help you !!
1.  We aspire to be like this kewl vid of Tempe, AZ event
2.  Our Heber Springs, AR  25th Annual World Championship Boat Race 7/30/11   boat pix

3. Our Pell City, AL 7th Annual Float Yer Boat Regatta Race 8/27/11 
         Boat pix  and  Civitan pix  both offer free downloads
     Video      
         Logan Martin Lake Life video  for our two race boats; view at start, then 8, 9, and 12 minutes
         YouTube video
     Media
         Daily Home Newspaper 8/27/11 article, photo, photos
         Logan Martin Lake Life Magazine Story with photos and vid



More of our 2011 Race Day:  (Our 2012event flyer and t-shirt will be posted soon!)

                                                                                                                 'Check mark' the boxes that apply to you !
                                              
                     
                   Click here to open flyer                                                                     2011 Event Shirts
       Our new 2012 flyer will be up here soon                                              We will have a new design for 2012                                                                                                         


Entertainment On the River
                                                                                                                    Lard Bucket Blue Grass Band   
                                                                                                        Will again be pic'n and grin'n the tunes ! 

                                                                            
                                                                          Sample some LARD right here
                                                                  


Schedule:   Central Time Zone
8:30-11am     Breakfast items by Wedowee Hospital Auxiliary: sausage bisquits, cookies, pie, cake, and
                       coffee/hot chocolate. Also selling 'take home' whole cakes and pies - pickup after 3:30pm !
                       They use their profits for community improvement projects. 
8:30am          Volunteers meeting at Registration tent
9:00 - noon   Pony rides by Patriot Riding Stables and Retreat.  $2 per ride for youth's only.
9:00-11am     Boat inspection, team registration, official team race photos.
10:30-4pm     RCAS is serving yummy smoked BBQ plates, hamburger plates, or hot dog plates, right off the
                       grill, with a drink and chips for $5. Sweets are available separately. 
                       Also: 'de-fatted" BBQ takeout by the pound ($7) available all day.
10:00-3:30      Music by Roger Hammett's Lard Bucket BlueGrass Band
12:15pm        Inner tube races $2 per person per race.  Prizes.  Adult single races, or 2 man Youth race teams.
1:00-3:30        Boat races
3:30-4:00        Load up your boats to take home, while the award judges huddle.  Food tent is serving until 4pm.  
                       Pickup takeout pre-purchased BBQ bakery pies and cakes at Clubhouse.
4:15                Awards next to the Big Tent at food court
5:00pm          If you take your boat home, don't forget to pickup your $10 boat disposal refund. 
                       Bye bye, til next year's race !

          
Map/Directions


Our 2010 Race:
1.  Flotilla Race, the final race of the day 
2.  Grudge race
3.  Photos                                      
4.  Thank you Ricky Sledge of the Randolph Leader for shooting and editing this video:




Our 2009 Race:  
Randolph Leader:   Story    Photos

Thank you Ricky Sledge of the Randolph Leader for shooting and editing this video:



TEC (Roanoke Phone Company) 2009 Newsletter:
The company thought their entry was a hoot and put it in their national newsletter below.  The Boy Scouts boat won the Titanic Award; most spectacular unintentional sinking after making it at least 50' from the dock and trying to save their sinking ship.  And yes, they did return to the 2010 races; on their test drive 5 days before the event they sunk.  They quickly rebuilt, and sunk again at the races !  Yes, they did better in 2011...they won The Tug award for the largest vessel to finish the race with crew inside !!   


  To open calendar event, please click on date and drag box down to view.