More than 70 creative cardboard boats set sail in Elkhart on Friday, Aug. 16, as part of Crossroads United Way’s annual Great Cardboard Boat Race, where teams from various companies, including Surf Internet, pitted their ingenuity against one another in a race around LaSalle Bristol Pond.
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While the event was filled with fun and friendship, its main purpose was to raise funds for the United Way. Over $150,000 was raised during the event.
The Surf Team was excited to be participating in the event for the second year in a row.
“Surf has always been passionate about giving back to the community and actively participating in local events,” said Andrew Holt, Surf Warehouse Manager. “We love giving back to the community, so when United Way invited us to take part in this fantastic charity event with other local organizations, it was a no-brainer. This is exactly the type of initiative we love to be a part of.”
Participants followed strict guidelines to build their boats in line with this year’s theme, “Lights, Camera, Row! Showtime!” The Surf team took inspiration from animated films. Enjoy surfing for their boat designs.
Holt, who is rowing in the event for the second time, expressed awe at the collaborative effort behind the boat’s design.
“It’s an incredible accomplishment to build a boat out of materials that fall apart when they get wet,” Holt said. “The logistics of sitting down as a team, taking 80 pounds of cardboard and duct tape, and building something that not only floats but will hold up for multiple rounds is incredible. It’s hard work, but it’s fun work.”
Before the race, Surf CEO Gene Krzysztie expressed confidence that the team could win this year’s race.
“Last year was our first time competing in the event and we came in last,” Crusey said, “We are winners in the surf and we are determined not to come last again. This time around we made sure to build a better boat and our boat is lightning fast – so fast in fact that it might just stay above the water!”
Once the racing began, participants were split into eight heats with the winners advancing to the championship race. There was also a special First Responder race featuring teams from the Elkhart, Concord and Bristol fire departments, with the winner also qualifying for the final race.
Heat Winner (Boat Name)
Heat 1:
Himco/Borden (Average Joes)
Heat 2:
Utility Master (Kong)
Heat 3:
Thor Motorcoach (Jurassic Park)
Heat 4:
Welch Packaging (California)
Heat 5:
Godfrey Mullin (Easy Rider)
Heat 6:
Utility Master (The Goonies)
Heat 7:
Utility Remaster (Barbie)
Heat 8:
NIBCO (Queen Anne’s Revenge)
Paramedic Race:
Bristol Fire Station (MATT (UTTs)
Championship Race Winner (Boat Name)
1st place:
Welch Packaging (California)
2nd place:
Utility Master (The Goonies)
3rd place:
Thor Motorcoach (Jurassic Park)
During the race, some boats managed to stay afloat and cross the finish line, while others sank before reaching the finish line. The boats that survived but didn’t win had a chance to redeem themselves in the Cardboard Crusader Challenge Race. The winners were Himco/Borden (Globo Gym).
Although the surfing team did not win the top prize, they improved on last year’s performance and avoided last place.
“Surfing is deeply rooted in the communities where we live, work and play,” Crusey said. “The United Way is an incredible organization and we are committed to giving back and supporting the communities we serve. It’s truly an honor to be able to take part in this event and do our little bit to help.”
