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Posted
11/06
 One
of our team, Clyde Benick is very active in the Cub Scouts organization.
In fact he and a friend just started their own troop. In an age where
most kids spend their free time chopping people’s virtual heads off
via video games it is nice to see and organization that actually teaches
kids teamwork and skills that they can actually use in life.
When Clyde mentioned to
me that they were having an event called the "Raingutter
Regatta" my curiosity was piqued. "What is that?" What
they do is give these kids a simple model sail boat kit. They have to
shape it, assemble it , and paint it. Then a "race course" is
built from two very custom rain gutters. The kids put the boat in the
rain gutter at the starting gate and at the sound of the horn they blow
(sail) their boats down the course. Trials, eliminations, and heats are
run until there is a final winner. Eriksen Marine even entered a
"Corporate sponsored" boat. What better place to hold an event
like that but right in the middle of a big shop full of real boats?!
They named it the "Eriksen Cup". It even said so on the
trophies….
It was quite the show.
Scott (in the rain gear) kept everyone laughing and ready to race. We
rigged up a starting horn from a twin trumpet boat air horn, and the
contest was on!
The competition was tough
with several "sailors" coming from behind to win. One kid had
asthma but still held his own pretty darn well.
After the kids were done
the adults got to have a try. The Eriksen "corporate" boat was
the fastest but I had added a little weight to the stern after noticing
the other boats tendancy to stuff the bow at speed. The Eriksen pilot
also has more that his share of "hot air" to sail on.
A good time was had by
all we all look forward to doing it again next year.
Here are pictures from
the event and one short mpeg that really caught the "action".
Support scouting!
Grant Eriksen |
