Carolyn McDermott | Contributing Writer

For the past four years, a select group of brave, relentless innovators have tested the speed of their cardboard boat creations on the waters of Storm Lake during the Beavers’ Annual Great Boat Float typically held on Buenafication Day. Sadly, this Buena Vista University (BVU) tradition had been canceled for various reasons this year, but thanks to the Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC), the race will go on.

Originally the Great Boat Float was scheduled as an activity on Buenafication Day 2013, but organizers made an executive decision that due to lake water levels, the detraction from the volunteer-based festivities, and problems in planning the event, the cardboard race was cancelled for on that day.

President of OAC Grace Sullivan showed great excitement for the event and is doing everything she can to maintain this BVU tradition. The Outdoor Adventure Club is working on the logistics of the race and has decided to host the event themselves though it won’t be held on Buenafication Day. The current plan is to hold it on May 8.

The club has already begun to gather cardboard from local businesses to start the making of the awards. All that is left to do is get organizations to build boats, have a faculty member all aboard, and hit the lake. The club plans to distribute event fliers soon and encourages teams to start collaborating for the fifth annual Beavers’ Annual Great Boat Float.

“I am excited to be a part of this event, specifically this year because students are the driving force behind this event,” Director of Intramurals, Recreation, and Outdoor Adventure Ellen Schiltz said. “They initiated the planning and coordination, which shows their commitment to the university and its traditions.”

The event has been a staple of the outdoor recreation on campus and is highly attended every year. This annual tradition brings together organizations and students to develop a cardboard crafted boat and have a friendly competition. The boats are made of cardboard (no joust) and some other environmentally friendly adhesive products. Groups can pick up free giant slabs of cardboard on a select day on a first-come-first-serve basis provided by the administrative group of the event.

It’s recommended that each team recruit a faculty member to get on board because after the race, the team can receive 20 seconds shaved off their time. Awards are given to the three fastest times, and there are various other awards based on creativity and theatrics on the water. Given the mesmerizing designs, slick names, and hilarious sinking episodes, the student organizers hope the event will bring out a big crowd.

Senior Justus Harris has been an active participant in past Boat Floats on the Alumni Association Student Board (AASB) team, which has held the title several years running.

“It’s a fun way for students to be creative and competitive at the same time. It brings campus together, much like other schools do homecoming floats,” Harris said.

Currently, the plan is to hold the race on Wednesday, May 8. Registration starts at 4:45 p.m., and the races begin promptly at 5:15. The club is also considering have a cookout to make the race more of an afternoon activity for participants and people who are there to see the boat excitement.

Photo by Tyson Domingo