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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula June 22, 2007  Text © 2007 Michele Anderson. Photos © 2007 Michele Anderson and Gustavo Bourdieu.

Cardboard boat races offer challenges, "pirate" fun at Bridgefest 2007

By Michele Anderson

HOUGHTON -- The "Pirates of the Keweenaw" cardboard boat races offered "pirates" of various ages the challenge of keeping afloat in competitive races on the Portage Lake Ship Canal near Houghton Beach on Sunday, June 17. The "pirate" theme inspired some creative sailing garb and added an element of friendly rowdiness to the traditional rivalry between crews representing the cities of Hancock and Houghton. 

"The weather was ideal and the water warm," said Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes, one of the organizers of the event. "People are still talking about the race and how much fun it was." 

Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes, standing in water, and Houghton City Councilman Craig Kurtz, on beach, help launch three competing cardboard boats in one of the first race heats. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

The weather made it easier on the "pirates" whose boats capsized during the races, despite the fact that the competition now allows some use of glue and paint to reinforce the cardboard and duct tape construction. Anyone can build a cardboard boat and enter the competition. 

One of several fathers spending part of Father's Day at the cardboard boat races was Robert Wittig of Chassell. Here he helps his son Elo Wittig, 10, get ready for the start of the age 12-and-under race in their boat, "Bottoms Up," number 13. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

While some competitions were restricted to certain age groups, such as the 12-and-under race for kids, smaller boats, some with very young captains, were still allowed to compete against much larger (and heavier) boats in the adult races. The smaller boats sometimes have an advantage because of their light weight and ability to turn around the buoys (when not obstructed by the bigger boats that may carry nine or more crew members -- See page 2 photos!).

Perhaps that number 13 was unlucky for Elo Wittig. Here he is about to sink during the 12-and-under race. It was his first time participating in the cardboard boat event. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

Less experienced sailors found that the rewards for surviving one heat of the race included eligibility for a second or third heat, during which they found their boats to be heavier.

Houghton "pirates" Jordan Becia, 12, left, and Travis Maatta, 13, pose proudly with their boat, "Bad Boy." before a race. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

Triston Wasik, 12, of Houghton, prepares to launch his boat, "Boxy," with the assistance of race monitor Stephanie Coon. At left is Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes, race organizer. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

It's shipwreck for the "Bad Boy" as boat #5, "Boxy," one of the smallest boats, collides with it during the race. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

According to MacInnes, all the kids' division boats sank except the winner, "The Rat," paddled by Adam Drelich and Brian Milligan. 

Launching their boat, "The Rat," are Brian Milligan, left, and Adam Drelich, who won the prize for the fastest boat in the kids' race division. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

Experienced Houghton sailors Anna Shoos and Sarah Stackhouse, both 12, returned with the "SS Shoestack," a winner last year, to represent the Keweenaw Memorial Fitness Center, one of the race sponsors. Not only did they compete against boats in the adults' division, but they survived three heats, including the final one.

Anna Shoos, left, and Sarah Stackhouse, both 12, make a successful turn around a buoy in their "SS Shoestack" during one of the adult cardboard boat races on June 17, 2007. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

Anna's Dad, Martin Smith of Houghton, worked with a group of Michigan Tech engineering students on the construction of the "SS Shoestack" and a second successful boat, "SS JMP." Smith was happy with the results of their work.

"We had two boats, and they lasted for three heats, which is unbelievable," Smith said after the races. "And the students' design was terrific!" 

MTU students, from left, Meghan McGee, Christian Fenton and Sherri Wiseman celebrate victory in the "SS JMP," which won its first race and completed three heats in the Pirates of the Keweenaw competition. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)

"The boat was a lot heavier on the second round," McGee said, "but it was a lot of fun."

She noted the name "SS JMP" refers to a statistical software package. The students named the boat in honor of Martin Smith, their professor of statistics as well as boat-building mentor.

Boats competing in the Pirates of the Keweenaw event are lined up here before the races. Construction is limited mostly to cardboard and duct tape, with a bit of glue and paint now allowed for "waterproofing."  (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)

Go to Page 2 for more photos of the Pirates of the Keweenaw races