Cardboard Boat Race Rules 2010

Great America is proud to introduce the 2nd Annual Cardboard Boat Race in conjunction with Physics, Science, and Math Days to be held Friday May 7th, May 14th, and May 21, 2010. To find out how you and your school can enter this exciting contest, read the rules and suggestions that follow.

We are encouraging schools to bring fearless students to build a boat out of cardboard in a short amount of time to see who can make it the farthest and the fastest! Twenty teams consisting of 4 members may sign up the day of the event. Please be aware that each team must pay a $20.00 Materials Fee to participate in this event.

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Materials to be provided by California’s Great America (You are not allowed to use any of your own materials or any additional materials):
  1. Up to 120 square feet of cardboard (You are given many boxes, not necessarily one big cardboard box).
  2. Up to 60 square feet of bubble wrap.
  3. Up to 1 roll of duct tape and up to 1 roll of packing tape.
  4. Please provide your own oar (If you cannot provide your own oar you must propel your boat through the water using your hands.)
  5. California’s Great America will provide Personal Flotation Devices (PFD).

Rules

  1. You must pre-register for this contest, please see the team entry form below. Teams of 2-4 must enter together and a maximum of 20 teams will be allowed to register on a first come, first served basis.
  2. Every team must pay $20.00 to be able to participate in the Cardboard Boat Race; your payment must be submitted two weeks before you attend Physics, Science, and Math Days.
  3. Every Participant must have a signed waiver. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver for you. If you do not have a signed waiver you will not be allowed to participate! Please find the waiver form below.
  4. Once you have registered you may take all of your building materials to the Wave Pool. You will be assigned a designated spot where no one will be allowed to touch your things but you.
  5. You must provide your own oar and the paddle may only be used to propel the boat.
  6. Each participant must wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device to be provided by Great America) at all times when in or on the water; otherwise the team will be disqualified.
  7. Boats must carry 1 occupant, the rower.
  8. The rower in the boat must not be enclosed above the shoulders. The rowermust be visible at all times while the boat is in the water.
  9. The designated rower who starts the race must finish the race without leaving the interior of the boat. If the rower exits the boat for any reason during the race, the team will be disqualified.
  10. When a boat is finished with the race, the team must remove the boat and any leftover cardboard debris from the water area and dispose of it at the designated trash area.
  11. Teams are not allowed to sabotage any one else’s boat. Any rough housing in the water will lead to disqualification.
  12. All participants must be wearing a bathing suit and shorts. (no denim) ??
  13. Team members must supply their own towels.
  14. Judging will be based on completing the race and the time.

Judging:

  1. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded.
  2. A special recognition will be given to the most dramatic sinking, the "Titanic Award."

Some suggestions:

  1. Decide on a design and sketch it
  2. Do the bottom of the boat first.
  3. Carefully cover any seam with duct tape.
  4. Bring a change of clothes, you will get WET!
  5. And most importantly, have FUN!!!!

 Location:

Wave Pool

Time:

Will be announced here soon

 Posted 10/23/2009