Cardboard Boat Race

This will be the highlight of Bideford Rotary Water Festival 2024 and you have the chance to build your own boat, decorate how you wish and sail it against others, either on your own or with a crew.

You’ll be cheered on by hundreds of spectators on Kingsley Steps and prizes will be awarded to the winners in several categories.

Click below to register and find the boat-building rules, and, if you’d like some advice on how to build a boat, click for details of the Boat Building workshop where you’ll get useful advice and a template that you can use too build your boat.

Don't worry about sourcing cardboard, we've partnered with Atlas Packaging to get plenty of free cardboard for everyone. Just get in touch with us to arrange collection or discuss delivery options.

Theme for this year is Vikings

Whilst the Viking theme is optional and any creation you bring will be welcome, we do hope to see many Viking vessels on the water!

Useful information

Registration: You need to register to enter the Cardboard Boat Race, you can do so here.

Registration deadline: All boats must be registered by 5pm on Friday 14th June.

Entry fee: The fee to enter is just £10 per boat if paid before 1st June and includes free cardboard. Payments after this date will be £20. Payments and registrations need to be made prior to the day of the event. (All event proceeds go back into the local community, find out more)

Construction rules: You can read our boat construction rules here.

Guidelines: You can find our boat building guidelines here.

Cardboard: Please contact us to arrange collection of your free cardboard.

Paddles: Invest in a paddle to increase your odds of winning, find out more here.