I'm posting a second photograph today because what we did last night was so darn fun: a duct tape boat race. I think I've mentioned that I work with our church youth group, specifically the girls, and Tuesday night we challenged the boys to a race in boats made only of duct tape and cardboard.Pictured is the H.M.S. Clark, mysteriously christened as a British boat and better built than a Yugo, right down to its duct tape oar locks. That's what happens when testosterone meets duct tape--a full catamaran?? The other two mens' boats: The Free Willy II and The Priest Craft which looked more like floating feeding troughs didn't fare as well once they were put to sea.
And the girls? Well with our yar little sloop affectionately named The Lucky Banana we went for a minimalist, cubist approach and covered a very large box in 17 layers of duct tape--have you ever wondered what $60 dollars worth of duct tape looks like? We didn't win for speed (there's a reason we didn't name her The Quicksilver) but we won on a technicality as we were the only craft that didn't end up disqualified. Grace and Paige who had been elected captain and crew did us proud.
We raced at Jewel Lake and drew quite a crowd. Here's a video clip of the start of the race--please forgive the lines on the screen, it was so sunny and bright the glare nearly killed us.
Technorati tags: Wordless Wednesday, boating, duct tape, Alaska
17 comments:
How cool is that! I'd try it around here if I A)had a youth group, or B)had any water.
On the other hand, a smaller version might work for bathtub races, but how would they move without kids in them...
What a wonderful idea. That looks like so much fun.
This looks like a great youth or even a community project! Red Green would be proud. ( I don't know why I enjoy that silly show so much).
Anyway, congratulations to your winners who created a seaworthy craft.
How many rolls did they require?
Your girls had a similar idea to mine when we did this as an FHE activity—I covered a ball of newspaper in duct tape. It wasn't quite water tight, though.
Priest Craft! ha. Very creative. In college, I had a "red-green show" night and everyone had to make something using only ONE roll of duct tape. We ended up with expandable and actual hooking suspenders, a wallet, and (A) shoe. Very fun!
Now that is a fun youth activity! Definately the sort of thing the boys would get into. Good thinking.
When I was a kid they had an annual milk carton boat race at Lake Wilderness every year. The boats were all made of milk jugs or cardboard milk cartons fastened together. It was pretty fun to watch.
I am dazzled!
cheers
Wow. I love it.
In my part of the world, we have what we call the Milk Carton race, making boats out of milk cartons. Fun.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
Why was everyone else disqualified?
Girls rule!
Two boats were disqualified for having hidden flotation devices taped between the cardboard (though it was openly admitted, no cover up intended) and the catamaran was disqualified because they had people off the boat pushing and paddling I think. Something like that. I think a lot of the reason the girls "won" was because they were nicest :) But the winning issue wasn't much of an issue--everyone was just having a lot of fun.
That looks like so much fun!
The prize should have been a duct tape wallet --
http://www.ducti.com/original.html
What a serious blast! That is some great thinking there. And yes, I have often wondered what $60 of duct tape looks like...
michelle: they are lucky to have YOU in the yw leadership role. great job. and great way to have wholesome fun fun.
can't believe i didn't run into you at church today :)
happy Sabbath, kathleen
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