Cañon City Cardboard Cup- Presented by Knecht Home Center
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Event Schedule:
2:00 PM — Competitor Safety Meeting (Mandatory)
2:30 – 4:30 PM — Boat Building (2 hours using provided kits)
5:25 PM — Mass Start of the Race!
Location: Cañon City Whitewater Park
Registration: On-line or at Centennial Park Registration Tent by 2:00 pm
Cost: $87 per team
Participants: 6 teams of 4 people
Age Limit: 15 and older minors allowed with a waiver signed by parents or guardian
The Challenge:
6 Teams of 4 People
Each team receives equal materials (provided by Ace Knecht)
Build a cardboard boat that can carry at least 2 people
Boats must be made only from materials provided
First boat with 2 teammates onboard to cross the finish line wins!
Time limit: 2 hours to construct your vessel.
Only materials provided can be used. No outside adhesives, tools, or components allowed.
Design must accommodate at least two team members on board for the race.
Race Phase
All boats will begin from the Ice House Wave in a mass start.
Course ends at the WKRP Wave (marked with a finish banner).
First boat with at least two team members still onboard to cross the finish line wins.
If your boat sinks, you may still push/swim it across as long as two riders remain touching the
vessel.
Awards
Fastest Floaters — 1st place winners
Best Design — For creativity, flair, or theme
Titanic Spirit Award — Most spectacular sinking
Team Spirit — Costumes, chants, and high vibes encouraged!
--
Whitewater Safety Rules
PFDs (life jackets) and helmets are mandatory for all participants while on the water.
Teams must stay within designated course boundaries and follow river marshal instructions.
All boats will be inspected for basic riverworthiness (no exposed sharp edges or dangerous
modifications).
No alcohol before or during the event.
Spectators must remain on shore or in designated viewing areas.
Participants must attend the 2:00 PM Safety Meeting
Rescue personnel will be stationed along the course. If you’re told to exit the river, do so
immediately.
Event Schedule:
2:00 PM — Competitor Safety Meeting (Mandatory)
2:30 – 4:30 PM — Boat Building (2 hours using provided kits)
5:25 PM — Mass Start of the Race!
Location: Cañon City Whitewater Park
Registration: On-line or at Centennial Park Registration Tent by 2:00 pm
Cost: $87 per team
Participants: 6 teams of 4 people
Age Limit: 15 and older minors allowed with a waiver signed by parents or guardian
The Challenge:
6 Teams of 4 People
Each team receives equal materials (provided by Ace Knecht)
Build a cardboard boat that can carry at least 2 people
Boats must be made only from materials provided
First boat with 2 teammates onboard to cross the finish line wins!
Time limit: 2 hours to construct your vessel.
Only materials provided can be used. No outside adhesives, tools, or components allowed.
Design must accommodate at least two team members on board for the race.
Race Phase
All boats will begin from the Ice House Wave in a mass start.
Course ends at the WKRP Wave (marked with a finish banner).
First boat with at least two team members still onboard to cross the finish line wins.
If your boat sinks, you may still push/swim it across as long as two riders remain touching the
vessel.
Awards
Fastest Floaters — 1st place winners
Best Design — For creativity, flair, or theme
Titanic Spirit Award — Most spectacular sinking
Team Spirit — Costumes, chants, and high vibes encouraged!
--
Whitewater Safety Rules
PFDs (life jackets) and helmets are mandatory for all participants while on the water.
Teams must stay within designated course boundaries and follow river marshal instructions.
All boats will be inspected for basic riverworthiness (no exposed sharp edges or dangerous
modifications).
No alcohol before or during the event.
Spectators must remain on shore or in designated viewing areas.
Participants must attend the 2:00 PM Safety Meeting
Rescue personnel will be stationed along the course. If you’re told to exit the river, do so
immediately.
Build-your-own-boat race rules
- Everyone is welcome to take part in this event, except for professional river guides. (referee discretion)
- All boat owners must transport their boat to and from the river. Owners are responsible for all flotsam and gear adrift. Keep the river clean!
- NO Pre-Manufactured Boats. The boat must be made by the competitors specifically for the event. You may not use, as the foundation of your craft, a boat or watercraft that has been made by a factory or company with the purpose of navigating any form of water (lake, river, ocean, pond, river, brook, bathtub, pool). Participants must be above the waterline. No enclosed tops to the boats. Boats must be kept in the water at all times. Only homemade sails and paddles are allowed. No unsportsmanlike conduct is allowed between boats. Boats must be no wider than 6 feet and must fit under the bridges.
- Boats must be able to hold at least three people.
- All people who start the race on the boat must finish the race on the boat. (A person may fall off and get back on).
- Must be human powered. No motors.
- The boat must remain intact from start to finish. A boat that breaks apart during the race will be disqualified.
- The event will be judged by the crowd. This is not a timed event. Winners will be determined by the amount of audience participation they garner.
- The start of the race is “green gate.” The end of the race is the “play wave” just upriver from “river-station” take out.
- All on-river participants must sign a waiver, and wear proper safety gear. A helmet and a life jacket are required, no exceptions.
