The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta traces its start to a competition launched in 1974 by (the late) design professor Richard Archer to challenge his students at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Build a boat entirely of cardboard that will support the weight of one or more persons and race it over a 200-yard course on the Campus Lake. Over the years entries have included cardboard barges, rafts, canoes, and kayaks as well as offbeat designs such as giant bananas, sharks, a hoverboard, 10-foot tall ukeleles, festive dragons, pirate ships, waterwheels, and basketball shoes.
Attendees can expect to encounter equally creative watercraft at the 50th running of the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Admission is free to watch the races that start at 1:00pm. Join the spectators to cheer on the race participants whether their boats cross the finish line or end up sinking somewhere along the course. Trophies will be awarded to the fastest boats in each of four classes: paddle/oar propulsion; mechanical propulsion; instant boats built onsite; and youth ages 13 years and younger, as well as best use of cardboard, best team spirit, people’s choice, and the coveted ‘Titanic’ award for best sinking.