The Glas family travels from Lake Worth to take part in the Cardboard Boat Regatta. It’s a family bonding experience, something they’ve done for the past three years, and Saturday was no different.
The Glases had constructed a miniature floating jail cell, and they sat beside it decked out in black and white stripes, the absolute latest in jail fashions.
“I was thinking of jail,” said Amelia Glas, the young daughter who came up with the idea to construct a floating jail. “I was thinking that my brothers are going to get in jail one day.”
Parents Michael and Lisa said they take part in the Regatta, and make the drive from Lake Worth to Cape Coral, because it gives their family a chance to work on a project together, and have a boat-load of fun in the process.
“We sit down as a family and vote on the design,” Michael said, adding that each member of the family tries to come up with the winning idea. This year, it was Amelia.
“This is a real family event,” Lisa said. “And the kids really look forward to it.”
The 2010 Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta offered a little something for everyone, regardless of their age.
Whether it was the Glas family, who used the challenge of building the boat as a bonding experience, or the Merry Mariners, who build elaborate boats using unique themes, the Regatta attracted all kinds to Four Freedoms Park.
The Merry Mariners’ Commodore, Steve Werner, has had his hand in designing and building their club’s boats for the last five years.
This year, the Merry Mariners chose a “Star Wars” theme, constructing an “X-Wing Fighter” to challenge other boats in the Regatta.
This year was unique for Werner too, because it was the first year he’s been able to take part in race day activities.
Normally he’d return to his native England just days, sometimes hours, before the big race day. So this year he was really enjoying himself, taking in the race day experience, not having to cross the pond until Monday.
“It’s quite awesome,” he said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the way things have turned out better … I’m just so proud of everyone that’s taken part.”
Tom Golembeski, who co-designed the boat with Werner, said that 17 people put in nearly 1,000 man hours to build the famed spacecraft, and that the design aspect took 40 hours alone.
“Without Tom, this wouldn’t have happened,” Werner said.