Could you design and build a seaworthy boat entirely out of cardboard and tape?
Six Brown Countians took Brown County Parks and Recreation up on that challenge and launched their crafts on Sweetwater Lake on Sept. 22.
The success rate was 50-50, said Andy Rudd, parks and rec program specialist. Three boats actually finished the first-ever Corrugated Chaos race and three boaters had to be rescued by a kayaking lifeguard.
“It was a blast,” Rudd said. “It was probably the most fun we’ve had at one of our events.”
Four awards were given:
Overall winner: Eli Slusher, for the fastest time to finish the course
Most creative design: Slusher’s blue kayak-style boat
Gilligan Award: Calla Imming, whose design was judged “most likely to leave you stranded” before the boats even hit the water. “We were right,” Rudd said. Hers went down at the farthest possible point in the course.
Titanic Award: Nathan Diekmeyer for “most dramatic sinking.” He was one of the craft captains who were rescued by lifeguard Grant Suding.
About 40 or 50 spectators turned out to watch the race. Many others inquired about next year’s plans, so Rudd believes the event will grow. The next date is already on the calendar: Sept. 21, 2019.
