Ahoy Tucka-Families!

Can you believe we’re already sailing into the halfway point of the season? That means it’s time for one of our favorite traditions: Swim Team Late Night at Tuckahoe! 🌙✨

Each year, our swimmers get the chance to show off more than just their speed in the water. We’ve seen everything from dramatic skits to mouthwatering cakes—but this year, we’re bringing a new fan favorite… The Cardboard Boat Race!

Here’s how it works:

• Swimmers form teams to design and build their own cardboard boats at home.
• On Late Night, they’ll launch their masterpieces in the pool and see who can row the farthest or maybe even make it across before going under! 🛶💦
• Bonus points for style, creativity, and team spirit!

So gather your duct tape, call in your crew, and start building! We can’t wait to see these legendary vessels in action.

Anchors aweigh,

Your Tuckahoe Team Reps 🐯🌊

Here are the rules for a fun race:

🎯 Objective: Work as a team to build and race a cardboard boat across the pool using cardboard, duct tape, and your creativity!

👥 Age Groups: Teams will compete within their respective age groups, and each group will race and be judged separately.

• Row, row, row your boat: 8&under
• Just Keep Swimming: Ages 9–10
• Sink or Swim: Ages 11–12
• Rock the Boat: Ages 13 and above
  • Multiple age groups are allowed within the same team. Age group is determined by the oldest member of the group.

🧱 1. Materials Allowed

• Cardboard sheets and boxes
• Duct tape
• Cellophane wrap / Color plastic wrap

🚫 Not allowed: Paint, markers, or glue (will dissolve and soil the pool), flotation devices, waterproof spray, or premade parts (such as oars)

🛠️ 2. Team Size: 4+ participants per team

• Only 1 or 2 sailors inside the boat during the race
  • All other teammates help build and cheer

🌊 3. Race Rules:

• Fastest finish or longest float wins!
• Boat power must be built; no paddles, industrialized oars.
• Racers must remain inside the boat (ie, no pushing the ship!)
• If the boat sinks, the race ends for that team (but style points still possible!)

🏅 4. Awards

The coaches will evaluate each age group in multiple fun categories (you can only get one award):

• 🥇 Fastest Boat
• 🎨 Most Creative Design
• 😂 Most Dramatic Sink