Ballwin Boys Win Battle Of Cardboard Boats

Ballwin's North Pointe Aquatic Center was a popular port of call Saturday, as children and their parents converged on the pool with a singular goal: Get from one end of the pool to the other, with a cardboard boat sealed with duct tape.

The entries had creative names: "Jenny," inspired by the character and the boat from the movie Forrest Gump, "U.S.S. Duck," "Mr. Harpoon," and "Shark Attack."

They came in different shapes and sizes. Some like "Puffins Return" and "Need For Speed" looked like a canoe, while the "Jenny" was designed like an outrigger. There were other philosophical differences.

Some kids stayed in the boat from start to finish. Others realized the better strategy would be to jump ship and swim the race while hauling boat remnants.

In the end, the event was decided in a championship race-off between two boats from the Cub Scouts Pack 684 at Westridge Elementary School.

Connor Hall and Jake Henricks piloted "Puffins Return" to victory past "Need For Speed," which was paddled by Jake's brother Sam Henricks and Q Straubmuller.

Check out our video capturing the sights and sounds of the event.