“This is a bigger crowd than we usually have,” said Cristy Carter-Trammell, parks connection supervisor.
The boats were in all sizes, colors and designs ranging from a large duck to one sporting the Stars and Stripes.
Lynette Dean, program manager, one boat managed to get around the course on a section of the 35-acre lake in 1 minute and 15 seconds, and the fastest to sink went under in less than a second.
The boats that survived throughout the competition also had an opportunity to participate in the Soggy Bottom event, sort of an aquatic demolition derby that continued until the last boat was sunk. The boat named “Jaws” won the finale.
“This is our second year and it’s a blast,” said Marc Schnetzer of Mason. Schnetzer and Ian Mould of West Chester Twp. built a boat that looked like and appropriately named “Chili Dog.”
Mould said he boat lasted about 10 minutes. While its time afloat was short, it did catch the eyes of the judges as it won the Judges’ Choice award.
“We’ll try a different form of construction next year,” Mould said.
The Best of Show award went to “Quackers” that was built by a group of home-schoolers from the west side of Cincinnati.
The boat was designed as a large duck with seating for four and managed to win its first heat.
Madelyn Schneider, 12, said they built it “to have fun and race our boat.”
The four youths and parents said it took about two weeks to construct their boat using standard cardboard, wood glue, paint and duct tape. After the competition, the boat was still fairly ship-shape.
While it was the first year for the four youths, Randy Schneider said it was the adults’ third year. “We hope to patch it up and take down the river,” he said.
The crew and family gave a very loud cheer when it was announced they won the Best of Show award.
After the event or after the boats were sunk, Butler County Marine Patrol deputies and MetroParks rangers in boats helped to drag what was left of the boats to the dock. Pulling the soaked cardboard out of the water was a crew of MetroParks employees. “It’s not too bad,” said Brian Newman as he pulled another soggy cardboard out of the water.
Jonathan Granville, MetroParks executive director, said there was more effort at waterproofing which helped the boats stay afloat longer. While some crews spent a few weeks building their boats, there were some that were built the night before.
Butler County Probate Judge Randy Rogers arrived late to the regatta as he was hosting an international dignitary, Alfred Nevhutanda, who is the chairman of the South Africa Lottery, and was visiting Hamilton on his first trip to the U.S.
An advisor to many members of the South African government and its president, Rogers said his guest was a personal friend of Nelson Mandela, the late South African president. Before leaving Hamilton to come to the regatta, he had a telephone conversation with Winnie Mandela. He also received some bottled water from Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller.
But they did catch the last part of the demolition derby on the water.
“I didn’t make it here on time so I missed judging the event,” Rogers said. “It’s a great event… The best part every year is the demolition derby.”
While there are various competitions to raise money for charity, Nevhutanda said he had never seen anything quite like the regatta.
Nevhutanda said watching the regatta was “a learning experience and a good way to teach youths how to boat.” He said he’s going to encourage various charities to stage a similar competition such as the regatta.
“It’s a very good event,” he said. “It’s something to build the nation. If you neglect the young people, you neglect the future.”
About the Author
