Raingutter Regatta

Raingutter Regatta
We got back late last night early this morning from a lovely trip to a little island off the coast of Florida. Before I dip back into the cocktail of laundry and sorting that I’m enjoying today, I had to peek out and say hello (Hi!) and tell you about our Raingutter Regatta. Probably one of my favorite kid’s activity ideas ever!

Peter’s parents hold a raingutter regatta for kids and adults on the island each year. This year was a pirate-themed regatta, hence the menacing flag hanging outside the house. There were pirate bandannas and tattoos for everyone (and braids, of course)-
Raingutter Regatta
 
 
Divided into teams of 4, the members collaborate and design their boats, and come up with a name. There were boat kits, paint, hot glue guns, stickers, etc. available to embellish the boats. Some serious designers, like Peter, got crazy with the aerodynamic sanding and we finally had to take it away from him-
 
Our team’s name was chosen by Emma and Ian, The Revenge (revenge against what Peter and I still don’t know). Emma designed the sail and collaborated with Ian on the hull-
Raingutter Regatta
 
more serious design collaboration-
Raingutter Regatta
Raingutter Regatta
When the boats are ready, we headed over to the raingutters, set up out of the wind, which was a little strong that day-
Raingutter Regatta
The first “sailor” puts on the life jacket, blows the boat down the gutter, sort of like this practice run-
Raingutter Regatta
You reach the end of the gutter, take off the life jacket and hand it to the next team member, who puts it on and flips the boat around, and blows it back to the other side. So much fun!
Raingutter Regattas have been around for ions, started by the Cub Scouts. It is such a great party idea I think we may have to turn Ian’s summer birthday into a regatta this year.
Okay, I will be back with more soon enough. Hope you are all well in the meantime.
 

17 Comments
  • aud

    April 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    that’s such a cool idea — thanks for sharing!

  • angelique

    April 9, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Wherever you are it looks like a fantastic place for a break. The regatta sounds like fun. I don’t think it is something done in Australia because I have never heard of it!

  • sarah

    April 9, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    this is just plain awesome fun!

  • Jennifer McGuire

    April 9, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    What a cool and fun idea! I will keep this activity in mind for future Family Reunions and Birthday parties!

  • jen b

    April 9, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    love this idea, sounds like so much fun. i love the pic of ian with the bandana, eye patch and earring.

  • Kendall Micayla

    April 9, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Its so cool!
    Kendall

  • Stephanie

    April 9, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    Awesome! I want to go to a pirate party.

  • Adriene

    April 10, 2009 at 7:13 am

    Looks like you had a great time, welcome back! 🙂

  • Liz J

    April 10, 2009 at 10:42 am

    The Regatta is a fantastic idea! I love your description. Thanks for the diversion.

  • betz

    April 10, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    My boys do this with Scouts, I look forward to it all year! (it looks much more fun on the beach tho!)

  • carolyn jurrjens

    April 11, 2009 at 4:59 am

    Nice to have you back and l hope you had a lovely break, the Regatta looks like heaps of fun l will keep the idea in mind for Master Scott!! who turns 5 this year and just loves “PIRATES” and plenty of action, thanks for sharing.

  • homegrownlife

    April 11, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    LOVE this idea of raingutter regatta! This is the perfect idea for a summer birthday party…

  • Maribeth

    April 12, 2009 at 5:41 am

    Just looking at people wearing flip flops is making me drool. Western Massachusetts is still wearing socks and boots, although we’ve switched from snow boots to mud boots!

  • Laura

    April 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Did you happen to be on Captiva Island? We go there and it looks just like that, complete with the golf carts.

  • erin

    April 13, 2009 at 5:52 am

    that looks like so much fun! and it looks like a good excuse to have a party!

  • Vilija

    April 15, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    Your daughter is pretty classic with her pirate ship name. Is she a fan of The Princess Bride? The Dread Pirate Roberts sails on his ship Revenge.

  • emily

    April 25, 2009 at 11:20 am

    fabulous! fabulous fabulous. i love that everyone gets so into it! so much fun. (and your new banner! big smiles.)

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