Boat Race

 

Every year on Lajes base they have a belly flop contest, and boat building/racing contest between squadrons. Robynn went to watch as her daddy's team built their boat. I had fun watching, keeping an eye on Robynn, and looking at all the designs going on. Everyone came up with their own unique boat made out of cardboard.

Robynn watching her daddy tape. All teams had to follow the same rules, and could only use the same amount of cardboard and tape. Nothing more than 6 inches wide when taping.  Also, each taped section had to be six inches apart.

 After it was all complete, they let Robynn color it.

 

Robynn sitting in part of the boat. Before the race between boats, the belly flopping contest was held. One guy from each squadron volunteered for this honor. Some of the flops really looked like it hurt.

 

Some also dressed up in costume. This one cracked me up.

 

This guy had a great costume, but his belly flop fell short. Not that I can blame him.

 This guy was decked out in streamers.

 Then it was the race. They had to race from one side of the pool and back. Who every made it in the least amount of time won. Some boats did really well...I was impressed.

 Others went down very quickly.

 Some capsized right away.

 Whether they floated, capsized, or not, I thought all the designs were really clever, creative and fun.

There is Charles and his team mate getting loaded into the boat built.  I think this was a great activity, and many families and friends showed up to support and cheer. It would be fun for Robynn to build her own boat someday. If I ever have a pool, and when Robynn and her friends are old enough, we will have to have a boat building day. Wouldn’t that be a fun game to play at a birthday party? They did enforce that everyone had to wear a lift jacket in a boat, and only one boat in the water at a time. That way there was no accidents, or boats ramming into each other. I like that rule.