Raingutter Regatta
Date:
Location:
140 Jackson Ave
Mandeville, LA 70448
Join us December 7, 2024 for the Northshore District Raingutter Regatta.
The Raingutter Regatta is the sailing equivalent of the Pinewood Derby. The competition brings scouts and parents together through the building of boats. The event provides a good clean form of competition that the whole family can enjoy!
The Raingutter Regatta is a boat race that is designed to be a parent-scout project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal aid to your scout as they build their Raingutter Regatta boat, appropriate to his/her age. This is a chance for your scout to be part of a team (he/she and you), and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with his/her peers. These “Official Raingutter Regatta Rules” are written to help keep it simple and fun for your scout, and to know what to expect when it comes time to race the boat.
- The Regatta is a double elimination race, which literally takes place by the Scouts blowing their own homemade sailboats down a course of ten-foot-long rain gutters.
- It involves skill in the design and building of the boat as well as the skill of the Scout blowing the boat down the course.
- The boats are made from the official BSA Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit. Kit includes exclusive BSA trimaran polymer hull, two balsa wood outriggers, sail, mast, screws, sanding stick, and instructions.
- There is also a Show & Shine competition for judging the best design.
- Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in Show & Shine and in the Race division.
- An internet search will reveal many websites with design information and ideas for Raingutter Regatta boats, however all boats must comply with the specifications in the guide.
Registration:
Registration will open at 8:00AM and close approximately sixty minutes later at 9:00AM. Scouts may enter boats during the designated check-in time only. Once the brackets have been formed no other boats will be allowed to enter. Once a boat is impounded (after being measured and inspected) it cannot be handled by anyone other than race officials. Show & Shine judging will begin immediately after registration closes. After judging, families will have an opportunity to view all the boats. Racing will begin as soon as judging, the race brackets, and family viewing of the boats are complete. Races will continue until champions are selected.
Each regatta boat will be issued a regatta number. The regatta number will be the pack number followed by a letter. This will help spectators follow the progress of fellow pack members during the race. Show & Shine participants will be issued an anonymous number. Boats participating in both the Regatta and Show & Shine will have two numbers with the regatta number concealed during Show & Shine judging.
Please read the District Construction Specifications in the Northshore Pack_District Raingutter Regatta Rules and Regulations very carefully.
What to Bring: A Snack, Water, and Your BOAT
Northshore District Construction Specifications for Regatta and Show and Shine:Uniform: All Scouts and leaders are encouraged to wear their Field Uniforms, commonly referred to as the “Class A” uniform.
Entry Fees: This is an open event. For Cub Scouts who have registered or renewed their BSA registration since July 1, 2024, they are considered Adventure Pass eligible and there is no cost to race at this event. For those who have not registered or renewed since July 1, 2024, the cost will be $5.00 per racing Cub Scout.
Registration Contact: Pack leaders are asked to please email District Executive Connor McCue by November 24, 2024 and let him know if (1) your pack plans to participate and (2) how many entries you estimate your pack will be sending in each division. This information will greatly help us plan a smoother race day. In addition, please feel free to email any questions to either our District Executive Connor McCue at Connor.McCue@scouting.org or 985-789-3925; or our Regatta Coordinator Jacques Walker at walker0416@aol.com or 985-630-4612.
