Back to the main info page
Human Powered Boat Competition


Definitions of Human Powered Boats For This Competition
Class 1 - paddles & oars -- Anything that resembles a stick (with our without a blade) that you use with your hands or other body parts, to propel your boat. Examples are kayak paddle, canoe paddle, oars, yulough, sculling etc. A pole pushing in the water is also considered this same class because you could the same with a big oar.

Class 2 - Mechanical driven -- Any propulsion system that consists of 2 or more parts used to create motion. Examples are paddle wheel, propeller driven, hobie mirage drive, waterbird etc.

Class 3 - Anything Goes -- Can use anything you want, including a combination of the above.

Competitions We Are Having We will run 3 races (one for each class) of the following compeititons. They all will be run parallel to the beach, in shallow water which you can stand up in.

Sprint -- 2 bouys are placed about 300 feet apart. Your boat is held by a volunteer so the bow is at the start bouy. Whistle blows, and you go as fast as you can, your time is recorded as your bow passes the 2nd bouy. Everyone gets one chance to sprint, if you have a mechanical failure, you can run one more time.

Distance Race -- Beach start where everyone in a class starts with one foot on sand which is not underwater, and holding onto their boat. Placement along the beach is determined by drawing popsicle sticks. The whistle blows, and everyone is off. You must make 3 complete laps around the bouys, and the finish line being between the close bouy and the lap counter(s) which will be on the beach perpendicular to the bouy. Contact between boats is prohibited, this is NOT Nascar.

Tug O War -- 2 boats are teathered together and held steady by volunteers. Whistle blows, whichever boat can pull the other one 10 feet away from the center bouy wins. Shall be single elimination playoff structure within a class.


Some Nutty Ideas For Boats - for people that are flying in
Surfboard / Windsurfer sized boat -- The last time I flew Southwest Airlines, there was a surf board sitting there with the luggage, and a lot of large golf club containers. Southwest Airlines Luggage Standards
Intex 200 Pool Boat -- Walmart sells small inflatable pool boats for about $10. You could make a drive system that fits in your luggage.
Skin On Frame Kayak -- Make a frame that takes apart and fits in your luggage. For inspiration [click here]
Inflatable Air Mattresses -- Like the type you use in the pool, surely you could make a drive system that will sit on top of that.
Nesting Boat - There are many commercial take apart boats, where one piece goes in each luggage bag. Could make a take apart something.
Boat Kit - Ever want an excuse to build a boat on the beach the day you use it? Bring a bunch of parts and assemble them on the beach. If you couldn't fit all of your parts in your luggage, you could hire Charlie Jones (a professional boat builder, who lives at Magnolia Beach) to supply extra parts. See his website SouthTexasSailboats.com For inspiration on a super simple boat, see the Plank Rat




Back to the main info page