Cardboard drama on the high seas in Bloomington
Inclement weather did little to dampen the fun during the 9th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta last Friday (Sept. 25, 2009) at the Indiana University Outdoor Pool in Bloomington. The entertaining event -- which raises money for scholarships -- featured ingenuity, humor, camaraderie and even a bit of redemption.
Photo by Heather Brogden
Beavers power the Councilman Center Indiana Swim Team's log, one of seven CCiST entries, across the pool
"We go for speed," boasted members of the IU Outdoor Adventures (IUOA) team, which ultimately won the event.
"I feel redeemed," said Robert M. Goodman, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, who won the 2nd Annual Dean's Challenge. Goodman was the only dean -- er, captain -- who didn't fall out of his or her boat this year. Last year, Goodman saw his boat sink nearly as soon as he got in it.
As spectators began arriving at the 50-meter pool near IU's athletic facilities, they mingled with costume-clad contestants and checked out the numerous boats of various sizes and levels of complexity. Among the cardboard boats were a submarine, a log, a bathtub, a high heel shoe, a kayak and even a toilet.
Robert M. Goodman, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, celebrates his victory in the Dean's Challenge as an unidentified dean floats adrift far behind
The fun atmosphere was enhanced by boats reading, "UB Sinkin" and "Eat Our Bubbles," along with fish-shaped duct tape tattoos and the back of life jackets reading, "if you can read this, we're winning."
"We're excited about these boats," said freshman Chaley Kim as she scanned the festive scene.
Among the colorful, creative costumes were racers were dressed in full beaver attire (mask and tail included); disguised as two members of legendary rock band The Beatles; and dressed in Hawaiian garb complete with grass skirts, coconut bras and straw hats.
The crowd included students, IU faculty and staff, families, sororities, fraternities, kids and community members. Some of the competing teams were affiliated with the Counsilmen Center Indiana Swim Team (fielding seven teams), Air Force ROTC, IU Water Polo, Residence Hall Association, University Elementary School, Women in Business, Union Board, Sigma Alpha Mu and others.
Photo by Heather Brogden
Matthew Auer, dean of the Hutton Honors College, gets an assist after his boat begins taking on water
Some teams were returning competitors from last year's race and were eager to prove that this year, they would be taking home the title. The ROTC Wild Aces described its boat this year as "more hydrodynamic." An overconfident Sigma Alpha Mu team declared "this is the winning boat."
In the end, the five fasted boats out of a field of 26 went head to head in the final heat, with IUOA coming in first. The Residence Hall Association and Sigma Chi: Big Box of Chaos received trophies for coming in second and third.
First place for most creative boat went to the CCiST Beavers.
"We did it!" chanted the girls as they claimed their trophy.
Tim Perez, assistant president of the School of HPER's Council for Advancing Student Leadership, one of the event sponsors, said the scholarship money will go toward the Top 10 Student Leader Scholarships awarded annually by CASL and the School of HPER's Center for Leadership Development.
CSLD Director Deborah Getz said she was happy with how the event turned out. "It is very successful when we have the opportunity to bring the community and campus closer together," she said.
M. Grace Calhoun, associate athletic director for Academic and Student Development Services, saw her boat suffer a watery fate as she competed in the Dean's Challenge, but she was still all smiles afterward.
"It was a tremendous amount of fun," she said. "I look forward to getting invited back next year."
