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)-

 
 
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-

 
more serious design collaboration-


When the boats are ready, we headed over to the raingutters, set up out of the wind, which was a little strong that day-

The first “sailor” puts on the life jacket, blows the boat down the gutter, sort of like this practice run-

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.