SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Enthusiastic boaters took to the water at Spinnakers’ Landing with the hope to stay afloat in their homemade vessels created entirely from cardboard.
While some teams, like ADL, focussed on appearance as they entered two rival boats; one a chocolate milk carton and the other a dairy cow complete with eyelashes, other boats, such as Stretch Fitness styled simple designs for speed.
“Even the entries that are pretty rickety, the participants put a lot of effort into making so they could have fun on the water,” said Gordie Whitlock, the organizer of the annual Lobster Carnival boat race, which took place Saturday evening, July 13.
“You look at what ADL did with their two entries and it’s just amazing, but this event is a lot of fun for everyone,” he said.
The races saw 13 cardboard boats, representing organizations, businesses, and individuals, compete in a series of elimination heats until the winner was declared, followed by a demolition derby.
“We are very pleased with the turnout, there are thousands of spectators, but we have always drawn a big family crowd with a few laughs here and there,” said Whitlock of those that flocked to see the boats compete, two at a time, on the water.
Returning participants, Dillon Boylan and Xavier Salamoun, had a dramatic and soggy end last year but planned to stay afloat this time around.
“We reinforced the sides of the boat, and this time we have just two rowers for more balance,” said Salamoun while acknowledging it took 20 hours to make their vessel called ‘Samuel.’
The pair waded the cardboard creation into the water as it tilted from side to side looking even less sea-worthy until Salamoun persevered in the boat alone to keep it afloat.
This was not the only cardboard boat that surprised the crowd by staying afloat, based on the look of faces and eruption of cheers.
Petty officer David MacPherson furiously paddled his cardboard creation leaving rivals in his wake.
While Stretch Fitness, paddled by Corey Arsenault and Darrell Richards, had a promising start as the elimination rounds continued the duo found themselves swimming with their boat turned submarine.
Banana Splash was back for round two this year with their colourful creation that couldn’t be missed.
But before long, it was carnage out on the water as many boaters found themselves tipping and swimming back to shore.
Green Party MLAs Lynne Lund and Trish Altass, defied the laws of science as they managed to stay afloat in the elimination rounds on their soggy cardboard boat seamed together with duct tape.
The community event in support of Generation XX got underway at Spinnakers’ Landing at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit, www.summersidelobstercarnival.website/cardboard-boat-races.
AWARDS:
- First place: Tony Hancock and Jacqueline Lecky representing ADL with a dairy cow
- Second place: Jayde Ferrish and Pat MacLellan representing StandardAero
- Third place: Corey Arsenault and Darrell Richards representing Stretch Fitness
- The fastest sinker: Ken Griffin and Wilson Lecky
- Most creative: Tyler Kowalski and Rodney Arsenault sailed in an ADL chocolate milk carton.