Lock Haven–The 7th annual Lynne Ramm Annual Cardboard Boat Race plays a unique role in the Woodward Township’s Riverfest, slated for July 9-11. All are welcome to come out and show off their Susquehanna River “worthy” boat – or so they hope – starting at noon on July 11 at the Woodward Township Boat Launch.
Chairmen Wally Watt said it has been an event that gathers families, friends and an audience to see what will be built and what actually makes it down the river.
“I got involved building boats with my brother-in-law Eric. We did it as a family. Our first was a duck (boat shaped like a duck),” he said.
It started in 2009 after founder Lynne Ramm came back from visiting Watkins Glen area and saw how much fun people were having during a cardboard boat race there.
Lynne has since passed away, and the event has taken on the name of the founder to memorialize her idea.
It’s a very unique event, and Watt says he doesn’t know of any other cardboard boat race in the region.
“I think it’s a pretty popular event. It’s something added to help enhance the Riverfest,” he said.
He wants to see more people from all over the area come in and take the challenge, have a fun day out on the water, and show off some creativity.
The race begins at 1 p.m. at Veterans Bridge, connecting Lock Haven to Woodward Township, where boats are loaded into the water and readied to race.
The challenge is to keep the boat afloat while paddling downriver to the boat launch, which all the registration funds are then donated to.
This is the time to see if the cardboard boats can withstand water to the end of the race.
Some aren’t so lucky, and those compete for “The Titanic” award, given to the best “sinker.”
“So your boat could sink and you could still win an award,” Watt said.
Anyone can register and compete. Categories are based on age: Children, ages 8-12; Youth, ages 13-17; Young adults, ages 18-50; Adults, age 51 and over, and Family, all ages of a family unit.
All are broken down into two categories: one to two operators, or three or more operators.
At noon judging begins. Judges take into account the best boats, best teams/boaters and best costumes of the teams that choose to dress up or give themselves a theme. Winners are picked in each category.
Watt said his family’s first boat was a big yellow duck, dubbed “Fear the Duck.” Apparently it was so well built that this is the seventh year that the same boat is being used.
How a boat is built and what it looks like – or what it is supposed to look like, for that matter – is all up to the builders.
His family has done animal themes, like moose, crocodile and rhinoceros, among others.
Watt said he has seen some really cool designs and costume themes to go with the boats.
“These guys one year did a giant guitar and dressed up like KISS and floatedall the way down. I think it was the first year … Someone built a giant Viking ship and that took a bunch of people to carry it over to the river.
It kept capsizing; I think it was too high on the sides,” he said.
It’s a guarantee there will be some pretty “amazing” designs of all types, Watt said.
“You can test it on the water. First year we sank two or three boats. It was like a trail-and-error. We sank those until we found the formula and realized what we were doing right. Now we just test it out the day of the race,” Watt said.
Rules for building and participating are few and easy to follow.
The materials that can be used to build the boats are cardboard, non-toxic glue, duct tape and paint. Any of those may be used in any amount, in any combinations.
No varnishes, lacquers or foams are allowed – so if or when a boat sinks, it doesn’t pollute the river.
“We have dive teams that recover sunken boats to help clean up,” Watt said.
Oars from a kayak, canoe or boat are allowed. Absolutely no motors – this must be a human-powered boat.
All participating in a boat must wear a personal flotation device and have an emergency whistle, Watt stressed.
No flip-flops are allowed – one must wear some type of water shoes.
A different twist, Watt said, is they are putting the call out to organizations, businesses, fire companies, churches, clubs and ball teams to challenge each other.
Watt said it’s time to begin to build now.
When asked how much duct tape Watt and his family use on their boats, he couldn’t put a number on it.
“In other words, a lot,” he said.
Creating an idea for a boat and building it together is a perfect way to spend time with your family or friends, Watt added.
“You can come up with an idea and put a little money into it. You can find cardboard most places, like large (appliances) boxes, and the cost of duct tape is not that bad. People spend more in a weekend doing nothing, than the cost would be of building a boat,” Watt said.
The entry fee is $10 before the event and $15 the day of the race. Forms are available at various locations and at the Woodward Township building, 86 Riverside Terrace, Lock Haven. Those looking for more information can go to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RammMemorialRiverfest or contact Wally Watt directly at 570-748-4579.
