Clarksville, TN – The Riverfest Regatta is not your typical boat race. The boats racing down the Cumberland River last Saturday morning, were made of cardboard along with a few other approved materials. Twenty-four teams competed not only for bragging rights, but trophies were awarded to the first, second, and third place teams in each division.
The participants enter into the race with a sense of fun and competition that is infectious. As the boats prepare to race the competitors can be heard discussing the merits of their opponents designs, if a design will go all the way, or if it will sink as soon as it hits the water.
The crowd cheers loudly as their favorite boats are called out to head down the ramp to place it in the water. They cheer even louder when the signal is given to start, continuing until they reach the finish line.
After the races are finished, the competitors and the spectators mingle together as they wait to find out who took home the coveted awards for the year.
Below are the full results for the 2011 Riverfest Regatta.
Adult Open
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QEgSIX9X8g[/youtube]
Winners
| 1st Place | Tribute to the Troops | 1 min 12 sec |
| 2nd Place | Aqua-Not | 1 min 33 sec |
Business & Industry
Heat 1
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWabPq-lq24[/youtube]
Heat 2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbMHhmMcJQo[/youtube]
Winners
| 1st Place | USS River Eagle | 1 min 5 sec |
| 2nd Place | K-Dub | 1 min 36 sec |
| 3rd Place | Caisson Creation | 1 min 43 sec |
Church/Civic
Heat 1
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZm42MSMLNk[/youtube]
Heat 2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_wzaBCdp6Y[/youtube]
Winners
| 1st Place | Tennessee Vols | 1 min 12 sec |
| 2nd Place | Wildcat Pride | 1 min 19 sec |
| 3rd Place | Leave it to Beaver | 1 min 22 sec |
City Department
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mldQI0qMWys[/youtube]
Winners
| 1st Place | Council Cruiser III | 55 sec |
| 2nd Place | Return From Gilligans Island | 59 sec |
| 3rd Place | Leave It To Beaver | 1 min 6 sec |
Awards
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9z_d1N6NvE[/youtube]
| Ship Shape Award | Most Creative Boat Design | K2XX |
| Cardboard Queen | Prettiest Boat | Long Island |
| Team Unity | Most Spirited & Organized Team | Okole Maluna II |
| Team Attire | Most Creative Costumes | USS River Eagle |
| Titanic Award | Most Spectacular Sinking | Red River Siren |
For more details on the Riverfest Regatta, including information on how to participate next year, please visit www.clarksvilleriverfest.com
Photo Gallery
Photos of the 2011 Riverfest Regatta taken by Bill Larson, Roland Woodworth, and Ashley Hamilton.
