
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Guidelines
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On June 28, 2025, participants must attend the 8:30 AM pre-race meeting. Races will begin promptly at 9 AM. All consent and waiver forms must be signed prior to racing. Ages 16+ are welcome to participate, ALL minors MUST have a parent or guardian there to sign a waiver.
Boat Classes:
Class I: boats that are made entirely out of corrugated cardboard and propelled by canoe paddles, oars, or kayak paddles
Competitor Classes:
Exhibition Races: (no fee - please contact info@freedomfestival.com)
General Competitions: ($40 registration fee)
Team: 2-8 people (16+)
The course will entail an “out and back” circuit from the marked starting bank, around the designated buoy in Robbins Lake near the community gardens, and back to the starting bank.
The race format will be head-to-head heats of two (2) boats. Each run will be timed to completion or to the point that the vessel is overcome.
Awards
The 3 fastest competitors - complete the course or longest times afloat if no competitors finish for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Pride of the Regatta - (Most creative use of cardboard)
Vogue Award - (Most spectacular looking boat)
Best Dressed Team Award
Team Spirit Award - (the looks of the boat don’t count - enthusiasm does!)
Titanic Award - (Most spectacular sinking)
Most Patriotic
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The safety of the participants, spectators, staff, and competitors is the number one priority and will be treated as such for all races. No consumption of alcoholic beverages before or during the race is permitted. Race officials reserve the right to disqualify any entries whose participants are suspected to be under the influence.
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Boats must be made of corrugated cardboard. No metal, wood, plastic, rubber, Styrofoam, fiberglass or inflatable devices allowed. No pre-treated cardboard or reinforced cardboard tubes are allowed.
Thank You Cardboard Boat Regatta Sponsors!
Thank You Cardboard Boat Regatta Sponsors!
Festival Presenting Sponsor
Festival Supporting Sponsor
Kids Zone Sponsor
Awards Sponsor
A competition where teams design and build cardboard boats to race
June 28, 2025 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Robbins Lake - Ellis Park: 2593 Edgewood Road NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
After making it’s grand return last year, the Cardboard Boat Regatta is back again in 2025! Join us out at Robbins Lake for an exciting competition on June 28th! Competitors will navigate an “out and back” course starting and ending on the bank. The race format will see head-to-head heats of two boats, with each run timed to completion. The team with the fastest time to finish the route, will be the 2025 Cardboard Boat Regatta Winner! The Regatta is open to teams comprised of between two and eight participants (at least 16 years old) per boat. Teams are encouraged to get creative and have themed boats while adhering to design requirements.
Entry: This is a FREE event to attend!
Following the race, swing over to Newbo for a full day of events at our Patriotic Fest!
Schedule of Events
8:00 AM - Team check-in
8:30 AM - Boat teams meeting
9:00 AM - Exhibition races
9:30 AM - General Competitions
11:00 AM - Awards ceremony (immediately following races)