Sheppard gets wet in cardboard boat race

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard Airmen and families made a splash at the base pool using the most unlikely of materials--cardboard and duct tape.

The annual build-a-boat competition at Sheppard made a splash July 20 with the overall goal of racing a vessel made out of cardboard and creativity at the base pool. The competition began with the shaping of cardboard and ripping of duct tape and it ended with participants kicking up sprays of water as they rowed back and forth towards the ultimate goal of victory.

The teams were given three rolls of duct tape and three plywood-sized sheets of cardboard at the beginning of the competition. They had 90 minutes to cut, crease, fold shape and design a boat to hold when immersed in water. Each boat had their own design ranging from an A-10 Warthog replica to pirate boats, and some never to be mistaken as a boat.

"I like the spirit of competition," said Airman 1st Class Anthony Pizzello, international military student officer and member of a team dubbed "Italian Mob." "I felt accomplished; we pull together as a team and are driven to succeed."

The task of building boats out of nothing but cardboard and duct tape proved a challenging task. Every boat that landed in the pool had a contestant rowing back and forth in a battle to keep their boat afloat. There were multiple events, including a category for active-duty and youths as well. There was a kid's one-way race and adult relay races.

"It builds morale," said Denice Tilley, 82nd Training Wing community center director. "It gives release from the daily military grind."

As each teams hit the water, they paddled furiously to beat the effects of the water on the cardboard and not sink, the ultimate score of whether you pass or fail in the overall design. With more than nine teams, the racers pitted unknown skills against one another in the race for the treasure. But in the end, this was more about having some fun than any treasure.

"Bringing out Airmen and local families helps you learn invaluable team-building skills," he said. "I never miss an opportunity to give back."

"Team Rasta," with fake dreadlocks and Rastafarian style hats took first place in the relay event. "Team Winning" and the "Italian Mob" rounded out the top three for the active duty side.