The Kamome Cardboard Box Boat Race

Calling all engineers and rafters! The Fred Endert Municipal Pool will be hosting it's first Kamome Cardboard Boat Race on Friday, April 11th, 2025. Competitors will design and build boats out of cardboard, then race them to the finish line. Doors open at 5PM and races begin at 5:30PM. All boats must be inspected before entering the water.

GOALS

The goal is to make it from one end of the pool to the other without sinking. The design of the boat is entirely up to the builder. Make your boat look like a race car, a yacht, dragon, flying saucer, etc. Let your imagination reign supreme!

DIVISIONS

 There will be six divisions: 

Treacherous Tobiko - youth (ages 10-13) single

Unstoppable Unagi - youth (ages 14-16) single

Eager Ebi – youth (ages 10-16) group

Mighty Maguro – adult (ages 17+) single

Hasty Hamachi - adult (ages 17+) group

Salty Sake - adult and youth group (all ages)

There will be a maximum of 4 people per team for group races. This is not a relay race. All team members must be in the boat.

PERMISSIBLE BUILDING MATERIALS

corrugated cardboard (found at appliance or grocery stores)

cardboard blocks (found at furniture stores)

cardboard tubes (found at carpet/linoleum stores)

fastening material: duct tape, packing tape, masking tape

decor: permanent markers and colored tape

MATERIALS NOT ALLOWED

wood

styrofoam

plastic

fiberglass

silicon

wax

tar

rubberizing product

metal

staples

clamps

screws

RULES

Only the items listed in the permissible building materials section above may be used to build boats. Cardboard tubes are permitted, but cannot have wood or plastic used to cap the ends.

You must provide your own oar or the paddle. The paddle may only be used to propel the boat. Oars may be made of any material. Rafts or flat boats which use legs for propulsion are not allowed. 

All youth (ages 10-11) and anyone who can't swim must wear a Coast Guard Approved lifejacket at all times when in or on the water, otherwise, the team will be disqualified. Each participant is responsible for providing their own lifejacket. Please contact the pool if you do not have a lifejacket.

Each boat must be less than 6 feet in width and be able to fit in through the facility door frames.

Boats must be built prior to the race, however, cardboard and supplies will be available for last-minute repairs or adjustments. All boats must pass inspection prior to racing.

Team members who start the race must finish the race without leaving the interior of the boat. If a team member exits the boat for any reason during the race, the team will be disqualified.

When a boat has finished 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.

Teams are not allowed to sabotage anyone else's boat. Any rough housing in the water will lead to disqualification. 

All participants must be wearing a bathing suit and shorts (no denim). 

Team members must supply their own towels.

Only permanent markers can be used to decorate your boat or colored duct tape. Use of paint, stickers, etc. will result in disqualification.

AWARDS

Speed Boat Award:  team that completes the race in the fastest amount of time.

Titanic Award:  the most spectacular sinking.

Jolly Roger Award:  the best design and theme (including boat and crew).

High Seas Award:  the most spirited team.

COST
This event is FREE but you must register in advance.