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The Challenge

1. To design a sea/pool worthy cardboard boat
2. To construct this boat in a two hour time frame

Following construction, technical skills and design will be tested for speed and buoyancy.

Competitions

There will be 4 divisions for the competition:

1. Grade 8
2. Grades 9-10
3. Grades 11-12
4. Corporate Sponsors (Adults)

Winners will be declared in each division.

Teams:

Grade 8, 9-10 and Grade 11-12 teams will include 4-6 crewmembers and a teacher advisor.

Corporate teams will consist of up to 6 crewmembers.

Judging Criteria:

Cumulative points will be awarded to teams according to the following criteria.

1. Design and construction
2. Speed of the boat
3. Buoyancy and endurance

Registration:

Participants must complete and return the following to Skills Canada.

1. Team Registration Form
2. $20.00 registration fee per high school team and $ 100.00 per corporate team
3. Participant Form regarding medical info, photo release, and code of conduct

Team Spirit:

Team spirit is a must! Bring your school or club banner to cheer your team. Mascots, cheerleaders and enthusiastic friends/family are welcome! Make lots of noise – HAVE FUN… but don’t become unglued in the process!

Supplies for Boat Construction / Tools and Materials

Materials Supplied by Skills Canada NU:

1. one large roll of packing tape… no more contact cement
2. one sheet of cardboard- approx. 7’ X 9’
3. 25' of string (8 meters)
4. one paper clip
5. 16 metres of duct tape
6. a laminated sheet with specified number.

Materials Supplied By Each Team:

1. a maximum of 2 straight edges/rulers of any length or size
2. a maximum of 2 tape measures
3. two pencils
4. a maximum of two cutting devices
5. a towel to wipe off the boat after the speed competition
6. decorations (maximum $20 value)
7. life jackets for those who cannot swim (not to be used in boat construction)

**Teams are encouraged to individualize and decorate their boats up to the maximum cost of $20.00

TIPS

1. Create an innovative name for your team - i.e. – Nautical Nuts, SS Long Lake, etc.
2. Teams should build a test boat prior to competition.
3. Check out the judging criteria for the competitions.

Rules and Regulations:

Boat construction must include a design sketch (this must be presented to the judges).

• One copy must be submitted to the judges during construction
• Team must retain one copy to refer to during construction
• The design of the boat must allow for race participant(s) to be fully contained within the structure for the speed and buoyancy events.
• Rafts and surf-like structures will not be accepted.
• Only materials noted in ‘Tools and Materials’ may be used in construction.
• The paintbrush, gloves, contact cement cannot be used as decorations or as materials in the final boat construction. Plastic bags of any kind are not considered decorations.
• Any devices used to propel the boat during the race must constructed from the provided material
• Aids such as scale patterns or prefab materials for tracing are not allowed.
• Laminated team number, provided by Skills Canada NU, must be secured on the front of your boat.

Other Rules and Regulations

• A maximum of two team members can ride in the boat across the pool. Teams choosing to put two people in their boat can expect a faster race time, but the extra weight may be risky. Remember, boats must survive the Speed Race in order to participate in the Buoyancy Endurance Event.
• Certified Lifeguards will be on duty, but occupant(s) unable to swim must wear a personal flotation device.
• Participant(s) must kneel or sit in the boat during the race.
• Feet may not be used to propel boat!
• One member only is responsible for holding the boat on the pool deck at the start of the race.
• Each boat must have a race number placed at the front of the boat or visible location.
• Each team must know their heat number and be prepared to race when called upon. Note that there will be no re-matches for late racers.
• Official announcements must be adhered to as follows:
  1. Ready = racing participants must assume a ready position.
  2. Set = boat must be in the water (one person holding).
  3. Go
• The race is complete when one part of the boat touches the end of the pool.
• The race portion consists of going to the far end of the pool and back to the starting point.
• Only teams that successfully complete the Speed Race will continue to the Buoyancy Endurance Event.
• Any team wishing to compete in the Buoyancy Endurance Event must have successfully completed the Speed Event.
• Teams will not be allowed to reinforce or adjust their boats in any way following the Speed Race.
• Teams must designate three members of their team to participate in this event.
• At the start of this event, the judge will give go-ahead for chosen team members to enter the boat. There will be ropes provided to ensure boats do not interfere with other teams.
• Teams will have one official chance in the Buoyancy Endurance Event.
• Scores will be calculated according the length of time each boat stays afloat.

TOP 10 HINTS AND TIPSs:

• Strategy – Look over the judging sheet to determine your strategy for the race. Think of where you can get the most points.
• Packing tape – This is what you will use to seal the boat when building is complete. 2009 will be the first year of using packing tape. Good luck!
• Balance – When you are building the boat, think of where your team member will sit during the race. Remember that you need balance so that the boat doesn’t tip.
• Stability – Team members will be allowed to help stabilize the boat in the water at the start of the race but you can only be one arm’s length away from the starting edge.
• Materials – You have packing tape, string and duct tape to put the boat together. How can you best use these three materials?
• Edges – Remember that the meeting edges of the cardboard are critical because water leaks in and slows you down if the edges aren’t reinforced.
• Time – Spread the work around so you don’t run out of time.
• Teamwork – What are the strengths of the people on your team and what part can they work on? But also put your skills to work together to figure things out.
• Creative – Be creative, crazy and wild with the designs but stay clean.v
• Cheering – Get your friends screaming for your team to win.