The Great Beaver Cardboard Boat races make quite a splash

Sunday afternoon at Hannam Park saw 15 teams feverishly planning and building their watercraft for the 10th Annual Great Beaver Cardboard and Tuck Tape Boat Races. Despite some severe weather just prior to race time, everyone’s spirits remained undampened. There were entries in all classes of competition: Family, Adult, Children, and Open/Theme.
The races were a timed competition in which there were five heats. The heats consisted of three cardboard watercraft, each carrying two crew members, paddling from the big dock out into the river to circumnavigate a buoy in the river, and returned to the dock. Prizes were also awarded for the best decorated vessel in the Theme (Open) class, and for the most spectacular sinking.
In the Family class, the winners were Colin Pich and Cohen Michaluk. Best time in the Adult class went to Kendall Stamler and Alex Hiebert. Winner in the Children’s class went to Taya Stamler and Becky Cunningham, with a record time of one minute and 24 seconds. The Open/Theme class was won by Rubber Ducky, piloted by Shannon and Taya Hagarty. The best decorated entry in the Theme class also went to Shannon and Taya. The dubious honour of Most Spectacular Sinking was won by Tamara Trenchard and Lilly Blakeney.
The organizing committee wishes to thank all participants for their hard work and sense of adventure and humour in making this year’s event a success. Special thanks to Norampac for their donation of cardboard, Fort Frances General Supply for their donation of prize plaques, and to Lowes Lumber and Furniture for their donation of Tuck tape.
It is not too early to start planning for next year’s races!