Florida Tech Panthers

THE PANTHER PADDLE
Event Overview

• Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 10:00 AM (Check-in 9:15 AM) RAIN OR SHINE
• Location: Panther Aquatic Center, Florida Tech
• Hosts: Florida Tech Scholar-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) & Athletic Department
• Description: The first annual cardboard boat race competition is open to Florida Tech students, faculty, staff, friends, alumni, and high school students. Teams build and race human-sized cardboard boats, incorporating creativity, engineering skills, and optional water-based combat.
• Proceeds Benefit: NCAA Make-A-Wish, SAAC, and Athletic Department.

Competition Details

• Boat Specifications:
  • Maximum size: 6 ft long x 4 ft wide.
  • Student-built oars are required.
  • The ENTIRE boat must be built of cardboard and duct tape.
  • The cardboard may be as thick as you want but may not be glued or attached to wood, plastic, fiberglass, etc.)
  • Decorations are encouraged! They cannot, however, affect the structural strength or buoyancy unless made of cardboard.
  • Boats CANNOT tow anything behind them for the safety of other boats
  • The paddler’s compartment CANNOT be enclosed to avoid taking on water through the water combat of opposing teams and to not interfere with escape
  • Boats should weigh less than 200 lbs.
  • Care should be taken that construction does not include pointed objects and sharp edges that could injure anyone.
  • Surfboard or raft-style designs are NOT allowed.
  • All body parts should be out of the water.
  • Recommend to bring tarps/covers to keep boats dry before the race.
     
• In addition to the cardboard and duct tape provided to all participants, teams may contribute their own supplies as well. Permissable construction materials include:
  • Corrugated Cardboard from Appliance or grocery stores
  • Cardboard “blocks” from Furniture stores
  • Cardboard Tubes from Carpet/linoleum stores
  • Fastening material Duct, masking, clear or similar tape.
     
• Materials Not Allowed:
  • Waxed or ‘treated’ cardboard
  • Wood, plastic, Styrofoam, or fiberglass
  • Wrapping boat in duct tape, plastic, shrink wrap, fiberglass, or a similar product
  • Sona-Tubes, coated cardboard
  • Silicone, nanotechnology, wax, tar, polyurethane, or rubberizing products.
  • Caulking compounds, two-part/mixed adhesives, or rubberizing paints/sprays
  • Metal Staples, clamps, screw
     
• Race Format: 
  • Team is composed of 1 captain/paddler & 3 boat builders.
  • Race distance: approximately 25 yards.
  • Open and High School Divisions.
     
• Water Combat: 
  Each team (excluding the paddler) can use up to three super soakers to target other boats - soakers must be filled from the recreation pool.
   
• Judging: Awards for Best Design, Fastest Race Time, and Top 3 Finishers from all boats raced.
   

Participant Information & Rules

• Registration: Teams register and pay entry fees.
  • Boat Entry Fee: $100 per team
  • Super Soaker Fee: $10 per super soaker
  • Free T-shirt per team member
  • (2) 4x8 sheets of cardboard and a roll of duct tape provided
    (Materials Pickup Monday, March 3-Wednesday, March 5, Times TBD)
     
• Attire Requirements:
  • Mandatory: Approved swimwear (no jeans, underwear, or boxer briefs). Contact SAAC with questions.
  • Allowed: Aqua socks or shoes.
  • Recommended: Goggles (especially for contact lens wearers).
  • Prohibited: Jewelry, casts, or any potentially dangerous items.
     
• Rules & Restrictions:
  • No physical contact is allowed between teams or their equipment (disqualification penalty).
  • Strict sportsmanship policy (foul language, violent protests, disrespect towards officials/staff results in disqualification).