“Reclaim Our River”'s first Recycled Cardboard
Boat Regatta on Nanticoke set for tomorrow at 3 p.m.

BLADES, Del. (Aug. 8, 2014) – The Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in conjunction with the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s “Reclaim Our River” - Nanticoke Series program, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the Nanticoke River Sail & Power Squadron, the Nanticoke River Yacht Club, the Nanticoke River Arts Council and the Nanticoke River Marina, will cast off the first annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 N. Market St., Blades, DE 19973. 

The Reclaim Our River - Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

With the recent signing of the new Chesapeake Bay Agreement, Delaware, along with five other states and the District of Columbia that fall in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are taking action to help raise water quality awareness. The cardboard regatta on the Nanticoke provides the opportunity to share techniques that will help residents reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering nearby waterways.  

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone who can build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 200 yards to the regatta finish line. First-place awards will be given for winners of races in four different categories: Individual, Family, Youth Groups, and Clubs and Businesses.   

Boats may be any size, shape or design, but must be made of recycled cardboard. They may (and should) be painted with multiple coats of any one-part (polyurethane or enamel) paint, and special awards will be given prior to the regatta for “Best Constructed Boat,” “Best Decorated Boat,” “Best Team Effort,” and “Most Whimsical Boat.” Decorations may be removed after judging, prior to the race start. Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the best and “Most Dramatic Sinking!” 

The early registration fee is $20 per boat, or $30 on regatta day.

More information, rules and an event entry form are available at: http://delawarewatersheds.org/recycled-cardboard-boat-regatta/

Online registration can be found at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/recycled-cardboard-boat-regatta-tickets-11632283473

Vol. 44, No. 241