SPECIAL EVENTS
River Rat Regatta
Location: Smithfield Boat Ramp 295 N Front Street
Time: Boat Registration 8am /Regatta begins at 10am
Packets can be found across from front desk at the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatic Center or online you can print off the packet and bring it to the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatic Center or with you on race day. If you are under 18 years old you will need a parent or guardian signature on your waiver for this event.
6thAnnual River Rat Regatta
AUGUST 9, 2025 / (Rain Date: August 23, 2025)
(Race from Boat Ramp to Town Commons)
Objective:
To design and build a “river worthy” vessel using cardboard, duct tape, and glue that will successfully carry two passengers from a starting line at the boat ramp down the river to a finish line located at the 70 business bridge.
Event Guidelines/Rules:
· Boats built using only corrugated cardboard (none with waterproofing or wax coating, and not bonded to any other material, such as vinyl), glue & duct tape.
·You may NOT wrap or encase the boat in tape / or any other material that may aid in flotation.
·Oars and Paddles must be made from cardboard also.
·No cardboard tubes or carpet rolls can be used.
·Wood, metal, Styrofoam, or other materials that would aid in floatation or make the hull rigid are prohibited. This restriction applies to the keel, transom, ribs, hull, etc.
·No material such as Styrofoam or rubber floatation devises may be used to provide “buoyancy” or maintain floatation. No sandbags or similar materials may be used for ballast.
·Hulls may be painted with "one-part" paint. No epoxy glues, fiberglass resins or "multi-part" varnishes or paints may be used. Tar based substances like roof coatings are not permitted.
·Joints and seams may be glued and/or duct taped. Duct tape, contact cement, rubber cement or construction adhesive may be used. No nails or metal or wood fasteners or staples may be used in the construction of the boat. (Small amounts may be used for REMOVABLE decoration only.)
·Where the crew sits CAN NOT be enclosed. Must be able to get in and out of your boat easily. Surfboard and Raft style designs are NOT ALLOWED. Consider "staying dry" as part of the challenge.
·No boat will be allowed to leave the starting gate unless: a) all persons on board are wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD), i.e. Life Jacket and shoes; and b) have their handmade paddles.
·PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN LIFE JACKETS—AS THEY ARE REQUIRED.
·Helmets are required for participants 12 & under (we will have some for use) / Recommended for all participants.
·Boats are 2-man vessels.
·All entrants must ensure that their portion of the pit area has been cleaned prior to departure on Regatta Day. All boats must be removed from the park or cut apart and placed in trash containers once the event is over.
·If your 2 person crew consists of a child and an adult, you will participate in the Adult Division.
·Youth Division is a 2-person crew - Ages 12 and Under.
·If there is any doubt about the construction of your vessel, judges reserve the right to use a probe, such as an ice pick, to test and verify that the vessel meets the rules as set forth above.
ALL RACE DAY ENTRIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN WAIVERS AT CHECK-IN. ANYONE 17 AND UNDER MUST HAVE A PARENT PRESENT TO SIGN THEIR WAIVER AT THAT TIME.
(If you pre-register, parents must submit packets for all entries 17 and under, with signed waivers.)
Thank you for observing all the rules to make this event
a safe and fun-filled morning!
Remember…
Race begins at the Boat Ramp, located at 295 North Front Street, and
finishes at the Hwy. 70 Bridge.
8/9 RIVER RAT REGATTA SCHEDULE
*Boat Registration: 8:00am–9:30pm
*Boat Judging: 9:30am
*Captains Meeting: 9:45am
*Regatta starts: 10am
*Awards: 11:45am
*DJ: 9am-12pm
(Rain Date: Saturday, August 23rd)
Participants may PRE-REGISTER at Smithfield Parks & Recreation Department (600 M Durwood Stephenson Pkway., Smithfield, NC 27577) up until Thursday, August 7th. Questions contact: 919-934-2148.
CHECK-IN IS EASIER IF YOU ARE PRE-REGISTERED!!!
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