The Wightfibre Cowes Cardboard Boat Race is set to return for it’s third year, once again taking to the water during Family Day at Cowes Week this August.
The race, which invites people and businesses to build a boat made from cardboard and adhesives before taking to the water and racing along the Cowes Parade (near RNLI), will take place at 15:00 on 7th August.
Telecommunications company WightFibre once again return to sponsor the event – which will be raising money for the official charity of Cowes Week during 2016, UKSA.
Speaking about sponsoring the event, Peter Collinge, Sales Director for WightFibre said:
“WightFibre are proud of our long standing association with UKSA. We are happy once again to sponsor the Cardboard Boat Race which is organised to help raise awareness and money to continue the great work they do. The opportunities UKSA offer Island children through their schools programme and the life changing effects they have on a wide cross section of youngsters both in terms of personal and career development is an amazing success story.
“We wish all those involved a fantastic fun filled day and thank you in advance for your support”.
Emma James, Head of Fundraising at UK Sailing Academy said:
“We are extremely grateful to be the benefitting charity of this great event again in 2016! All the money raised by the intrepid participants will help to enable more children from disadvantaged backgrounds come to UKSA and experience the challenge and thrill of an on-the-water activity.
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“Our programmes ensure firstly, that everyone has fun and secondly that children develop new skills, confidence, self-esteem and ultimately aspirations for a better future that can help their progression back at school”.
Organiser of the event Tony Downs said:
“We are excited to be back for a third year and are aiming for more than double the boats which took part last year. We’ve got more categories than ever – including an award for the fastest boat, prizes for the best dressed crew, and also for the best looking boat – as well as the usual prizes for winners of the heats.
“We are also very happy that WightFibre have agreed to team up with us again and we know they are equally as excited to make sure this year is even bigger and better”.
One of the changes for the 2016 race will be a removal of the entry fee, but teams are being asked to raise as much money as they can for UKSA. There are also new categories for 2016 including
an award for the best dressed team, best looking boat, as well as awards for the fastest boat, and for the boat which lasts the longest – amongst others to be announced.
Sailing enthusiast and keen photographer Keith Allso will once again be making the cardboard trophy for the overall winner, and there will be a number of prizes for those who win – including four tickets which have been donated by Cineworld Isle of Wight.
Those who wish to take part can do so by visiting www.cowesboatrace.co.uk and visiting the registration section. Following registration, entrants will also have to fill in a secondary medical
form which will be sent to them with their confirmation email.
There has already been great interest in the 2016 race, meaning that places are limited. Those who want to enter the race are being asked to register their interest on the official website to make
sure they don’t lose out.
Featured image: Emma Gee // First image: Matthew Lawrence
