Fish Pond Regatta

The Berkshires Premiere Boat Race

Just kidding! These boats are just as likely to sink as they are to cross the finish line. In what will surely be as much fun to watch as to participate in, the Fish Pond Regatta is a backyard engineering challenge to use household items to build a boat that can carry one or more people and compete for the best time.

Event Details

The Fish Pond Regatta is a fun family event that encourages fun and creativity for kids and adults alike. There are two different classes of boats for those who want unlimited time (the Open class) and those who like the thrill and chaos of trying to do it the day of (the Classic class).

Details

When

August 28th starting from 10am to 6pm

Where

Windsor Lake, North Adams (aka Fish Pond)

Requirements

In order to participate, all entrants must fill out a registration for each boat they would like to enter, whether it is for the Classic or the Open competition.

Registration

Waiver

 

Rules

Open Rules

  1. Boats are to be made of at least 80 percent of the following:
    • corrugated cardboard
    • natural, un-finished materials (raw logs and sticks are ok, lumber is not)
    • Empty plastic jugs/containers like milk jugs and soda bottles
  2. The following may also be used in addition so long as it does not make up more than 20 percent of the final boat design:
    • Duct tape/masking tape/packing tape
    • Rope, straps, fabric
    • Glue
    • Acrylic-based and non-oil based paints
  3. Boats cannot fully enclose anyone inside, or have a roof.
  4. All boaters need to be sitting fully inside of the boat.
  5. The boat is considered sunk if all boaters are outside of the boat before it has completed the course.
  6. Boats will begin to be inspected at 10am and begin to be launched at noon.
  7. No boaters will be allowed in the water without a signed waiver and a PFD.
  8. All boaters must be 10+ to go in a boat alone, or must have an adult boater who will be in the boat and responsible for them.

Classic Rules

  1. Boats are to be made the day of only, starting at 10am with kit pickup at the pavilion.
  2. Boats are to be made of corrugated cardboard, tape, and decorations only.
  3. Heap pile materials of additional cardboard (both thin and corrugated) will be available.
  4. Additional cardboard and tape from home can be brought by participants.
  5. Additional tape and decoration/cutting supplies can be purchased from Citizen STEAM on the day of the race by participants.
  6. Boat cannot fully enclose anyone or have a roof
  7. Boaters need to all be sitting fully inside of the boat
  8. The boat is considered sunk if all boaters are outside of the boat before it has completed the course.
  9. Boats will be inspected and launched starting at 2pm.
  10. No boaters will be allowed in the water without a signed waiver and a PFD.
  11. All boaters must be 10+ to go in a boat alone, or must have an adult boater who will be in the boat and responsible for them.

For both classes there is absolutely NO:

  • Fiberglass
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Nails
  • Lumber