Paper Boat Race

THEME: Brexit!

The Elstead Paper Boat race is an annual event that has been taking place on the first Sunday of July at the Elstead Moat for many many years!
Participants build boats out of cardboard and newspaper and then take to the water to race them, the winner being the boat that achieves the most laps.
Awards are given for the winner of the Junior (under 14) and Senior races, best built/designed/decorated boat and the most spectacular sinking!
It’s great fun to take part in and to watch! Why not build a boat and join in this very different but great village event! (Boat Building rules below.)

On the day there are refreshments available including drinks, cakes and ice creams, a raffle, Jolly Jam Jars & face painting.

The monies raised at the Paperboat race go towards next years event and keeping this village tradition alive with a small portion going to Elstead Brownies and Guides who organise and run the event on the day.

If you have any questions about building a boat, entry fees etc. or would just like more information please contact Candice Whitbourn at elsteadguides@hotmail.co.uk. 07738938914.

THE RULES!

1. All boats must be newly built for this years race, don’t try to use last years!

2. All boats must register. Registration starts at 11am.

3. The main hull of the boat, together with any reinforcement or buoyancy must be made entirely from paper, cardboard or corrugated boxes. Max. Thickness of single sheet = 5mm.
NO preformed sections may be used, i.e. cardboard tubes etc. Tubular construction is permitted if made by the entrants from the materials mentioned above.

4. NO catalytic adhesives may be used, i.e. fibreglass resin, “Araldite” etc. However “Evo-Stick” and “Thix-O-Fix” (contact adhesives) can be used to bond components. Waterproof adhesives may not be used in quantities that increase the strength of the paper based material (i.e. no impregnation).

5. NO bituminous or damp proofing products may be used: however the boat may be waterproofed with household paint i.e. glosses, vinyl emulsions etc.

6. The boat must be large enough to contain one or more crew and be self propelled. Oars and paddles are permitted.

7. Only under 14’s in the junior race. There must be at least one person 14 or over in each boat entered in the senior race.

8. Entrants must follow the course indicated by the buoys.
Each race will last for 8 or 12 minutes (dependant on category) and the boat that makes the greatest number of laps is the winner.

9. Entrants must respect other competitors craft until the end of the race.

10. All boats must pay an entry fee for each race entered.

11. Every individual taking part in the Elstead Boat Race must sign and date a legal declaration on the entry form. For all individuals taking part who are under 18, whether in the Junior or Senior Race, a parent or guardian must sign the legal declaration.

ALL ENTRANTS MUST BE GOOD SWIMMERS AND BE MEDICALLY FIT TO PARTICIPATE.

ALL JUNIOR ENTRANTS MUST WEAR BUOYANCY AIDS.

HAPPY BOAT BUILDING! ⛵️