Seafaring competitors turn the tide at cardboard boat regatta

Participants rush out into the water during the start of the 23rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Marina at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 1, 2011. The competition allows teams to use only cardboard, glue, tape and paint to construct their makeshift vessels. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller/Released)

Seafaring competitors turn the tide at cardboard boat regatta

The 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s “Prestige Abroad” glides across the emerald waters during the 23rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Marina at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 1, 2011. The defending champion 1st SOEMS won 1st place in this year’s race. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller/Released)

Seafaring competitors turn the tide at cardboard boat regatta

Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron paddle their “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”-themed boat/van across the water during the 23rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Marina at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 1, 2011. The boat/van won the “Best Dressed Krewe” award in this year’s race. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller/Released)

Seafaring competitors turn the tide at cardboard boat regatta

Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron paddle their Peter Pan-themed pontoon boat across the water during the 23rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Marina at Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 1, 2011. The boat/van won the “Most Unique” award in this year’s race. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller/Released)

Seafaring competitors turn the tide at cardboard boat regatta

Published July 6, 2011
By Senior Airman Joe McFadden
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Nearly 235 years to the day that the Founding Fathers dared, as John Dickinson said, "to brave the storm in a skiff made of paper," dozens of Air Commandos commandeered more than 20 cardboard boats through the emerald waters during the 23rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Hurlburt Field Marina July 1.

The competition requires teams to use only cardboard, glue, tape and paint to construct their makeshift vessels. Wing leadership served as judges, evaluating the various Hawaiian- and superhero-themed entries and scoring them on design and costume presentation.

After the boats splashed on to the shore and the crowd's frenzy died down, the defending champion 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron repeated their success by taking both 1st and 3rd place with their respective "Prestige Worldwide" and "A Night Out" entries.

"They did an outstanding job," said Lt. Col. Michael Stohler, 1st SOEMS commander. "We've not only got the best crews around, but we're the best squadron in the Air Force. These results speak to that fact."

Although the 1st SOEMS claimed overall victory in the race, the 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron edged them out in the number of awards earned.

As opposed to many full-boat entries, two 1st SOCMS Airmen dressed as the Silver Surfer and Doctor Doom, cosmically cruised their surfboard to 2nd place between the two 1st SOEMS competitors. The squadron also claimed the "Most Unique" award for their entry entitled "Tick-Tock," a crocodile pontoon manned by Airmen dressed as Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and Rufio. Fellow 1st SOCMS Airmen took the "Best Dressed Krewe" award for their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed van/float featuring the half-shell quartet and other characters.

"It took us three weeks to complete the van," said Airman 1st Class Anthony Craig, 1st SOCMS and one of the ninja turtles. "Every year, we've just built a boat for the kids, so it's not really about winning or losing. And we've always had a blast."

The "Ugliest" award went to the 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron's macabre "Zombie Apocalypse."

Event organizers paid extra attention to the Hurlburt Field Teen Center's inaugural float, the H.M.S. Mad Ducts. Despite their project sinking the instant it hit the water, the team walked away with this year's Davy Jones award and a determination to try again next year.

"This race brought out our creative side and gave us a chance to be competitive," said Alex Vesel, 16, and stepson of Col. James Boyd, Air Force Special Operations Command chief of flight medicine. "Plus it was all in good fun."