Cardboard Boat Regatta
Build a boat from unusual materials, then race it on the water.
About
Cardboard Boat Regatta is a creative build-your-own-boat challenge. Teams choose a boat design, gather a set of unusual building materials and combine everyone’s skills to construct a vessel that can genuinely float.
Planning matters from the start. Teams have to agree on a design, share out the building tasks and make the most of every material, knowing their creation will soon be put to the test.
Then comes the big moment. The boats are launched on a lake, a pool or the sea, and the finale can be a race or regatta, a sea battle, or a full adventure to recover sunken treasure.
It is a fun, energetic way to show that a task that seems impossible becomes very possible when people collaborate and coordinate their efforts.
Learning outcomes
In Cardboard Boat Regatta, teams discover that the impossible becomes achievable when individuals combine their skills and coordinate their efforts towards one clear goal.
They also find that true leadership and great ideas often come from the people you least expect. Building a working boat from unusual materials rewards creative thinking over hierarchy.
Working against the clock sharpens time management and communication, as teams make quick decisions about design and materials and keep every builder on the same page.
The launch is the ultimate test: the boat either floats or it does not. That shared moment of truth, and the celebration that follows, brings teams closer and leaves them proud of what they built together. The debrief afterwards often reveals surprising insights about who took the lead, how ideas were tested and what the team would do differently on the next build.
Program flow
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Briefing
Teams receive their boat design plans and a set of unusual building materials, and learn the rules of the challenge.
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Design and plan
Teams choose a design, agree on a building strategy and share out the tasks among team members.
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Build
Teams construct their boats against the clock, combining everyone's skills to create a vessel that can really float.
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Launch
Each boat goes on the water for its first test, the moment of truth for every team.
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Race or regatta
Teams compete in the finale on the water, whether a race, a regatta, a sea battle or a hunt for sunken treasure.
What is included
Included
- Facilitation by experienced hosts
- Boat building materials and tools
- Boat design plans
- Water safety briefing and equipment
- Race judging and results
Not included
- Venue and water access fees
- Catering and refreshments
- Audio-visual equipment
- Transportation to and from the venue
- Towels and a change of clothes
Frequently asked questions
How many people can take part?
Groups from 10 to 500 guests can take part, working in smaller teams.
How long does the program take?
A typical session runs for about 1.5 hours.
Do we need any boat-building experience?
No. Teams choose from boat design plans and receive all the materials and tools they need.
Can this be run indoors or outdoors?
It is designed for outdoor venues, and the setting can be adapted to your location.
What kind of water venue is needed?
The boats can be launched on a lake, a pool or the sea, depending on your venue.
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Request a quote for Cardboard Boat Regatta
Tell us your group size, date and goals. We will reply with a tailored proposal.