City Invites All to Race in Cardboard Boats

The pools of Silliman Aquatic Center will look a little different on Friday. They will be full of cardboard — racing boats made from cardboard, to be exact. 

The annual Cardboard Boat Race returns this year and people of all ages are invited to make the ultimate racing boat, using only cardboard, paper and duct tape.

The race has been held most years since the construction of the aquatic center in 2005, city officials said. Last year, the event was canceled due to budget constraints.

“We are excited to bring it back,” said Peter Beireis, senior recreation supervisor for the City of Newark.

The event will be divided up into four racing divisions: children under 7 years old, ages 8-12, ages 13-17 and adults.

There is no limit on the number of registrants and the largest past event included 20 entries, Beireis said. People have until 5 p.m. Thursday to register.

“We would love to have as many participants as would like to race in the event,” he added.

Here are the rules:

• All boats must be constructed only of cardboard or paper, and tape. No other elements allowed.
• For the race, one person must ride/drive the boat. They can use hand power or construct paddles/oars etc. utilizing cardboard and duct tape.
• The races will be conducted in heats for each age group, with a winner for each age group. A final race pitting the four age group winners against one another will dettermine the overall winner.
• The course is one lap, which equals 25 yards.

There is no fee to enter the race. To register, contact Beireis at peter.beireis@newark.org or fill out a registration form at the front desk of the George M. Silliman Recreation Complex.