New Brunswick

Community gets arrrr-tsy making cardboard boats to race at Katys Cove

A Bocabec, N.B., couple began gathering corrugated cardboard after an event floating across social media piqued their interest. Saturday afternoon's cardboard boat race at Katys Cove will be a first for both the Town of Saint Andrews and the Cassells family. It is one among many activities happening across the community as part of a four-day Fundy Pirates Fest.

Saturday's pirate-themed race has at least 10 teams competing

A family of three dressed as pirates. A white man, a white woman and a 4-year old white boy.
All three members of the Cassells family plan to be on the boat during the race, says Sylva Cassells. (Sylva Cassells)

A Bocabec, N.B., couple began gathering corrugated cardboard after an event floating across social media piqued their interest.

Saturday afternoon's cardboard boat race at Katys Cove will be a first for both the Town of Saint Andrews and the Cassells family. It is one among many activities happening across the community as part of a four-day Fundy Pirates Fest.

Sylva and her husband, Seann, thought building a cardboard boat that can carry them and their four-year-old son, Joseph, would be a fun family adventure this summer, she said.

A man building a cardboard boat.
It took Seann Cassells 48 hours to build his cardboard boat. (Sylva Cassells)

She said her husband decided to be the boat maker while she was responsible for the decor and esthetics. She said it took him 48 hours to build the vessel that they named The Jolly Joseph.

"It's not a small ship," said Cassells.

"It's a challenge, so my husband likes challenges, which is why he's so gung-ho for it, and the other part is because it's pirates, and how can you say no for that?" 

Cassells said they are a family of strong swimmers and she has experience working as a lifeguard. She is not worried about getting wet.

However, their goal isn't the Titanic award, which is the prize for the most spectacular sinking. Their goal is to win the race.

An 8 feet long cardboard boat.
The Jolly Joseph is 2.5 metres in length. (Sylva Cassells)

"I'm pretty sure my husband's aiming to have his boat make it to the end," she said.

Cassells said she plans to wear a pirate costume at the race and her son would also be dressed up. It may take some convincing for her husband to wear the outfit, she said.

A young white boy making a cardboard boat, he is wearing a hat and a red t-shirt. A dog is also seen sitting in the picture.
The Community Youth Activity Centre in Saint Andrews will bring two cardboard boats to the race. (Amanda Harrington)

"When you have such a young person in your life, you want to spend as many moments making memories with them as possible. [Joseph] is very excited.

"He wants to go on another race himself without me and his dad ... so we promised him that after this boat is made and completed, we'll let him make a smaller cardboard race that he can attempt to do by himself, just for him," she said.

Youth between ages eight and 12 at the Community Youth Activity Centre in Saint Andrews have also built two cardboard boats for the race.

Amanda Harrington, the centre's supervisor, helped the team using her previous experience of building a boat with recyclables.

A black and pink cardboard boat with two cardboard paddles.
Supervisor Amanda Harrington will be sailing in the longer boat made by the centre. (Amanda Harrington)

Harrington said she loves to build things using her hands and thought the activity will help the youth learn how to use their imagination, by stepping out of the digital world.

Harrington said she has a background in paddling that will come handy.

She will be the main boat's captain and 14-year-old Gordy Savoie will be sailing in the other.

Ten teams are scheduled to participate in the race but more could show up at the last minute, said Merven Hanselpacker, the recreation manager for Saint Andrews.

A white woman with blonde hair, wearing shades, sitting in front of a basketball net.
Harrington says her paddling experience will help her in the race. (Amanda Harrington)

Boats will be inspected before the race to make sure it is a fair game. Prizes included best boat and costume, most spectacular sinking, and overall race winner.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhythm Rathi

Reporter

Rhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca