# Nomad · Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (SIU Carbondale): sources Row #28 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site. | Fact used | Source | |---|---| | Name, place (Campus Lake, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA), continent | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | Usual timing: April (a Saturday) | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | What you build / use: BUILD a muscle-powered boat from corrugated cardboard and race it | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | How a traveller takes part: Build a cardboard boat at home and register on race morning, or build an instant boat on site from a kit (first come, first served); paddles and life jackets are provided | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | Participation level: Build-compete (open) | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | Entry requirements / deadline: Register and pass the boat inspection on race morning (10am to noon in 2026); races start at 1pm; all crew wear life jackets | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php (primary) · https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php (secondary) | | Verification note (research pass): 2026 and 2027 dates from SIU's official pages (checked 14 Oct 2026). | experiences_v1.csv | | Date: 18 Apr 2026: Great Cardboard Boat Regatta 2026 (51st), SIU Carbondale. SIU official: Sat 18 Apr 2026, Campus Lake; races from 1pm. Build/use: Muscle-powered cardboard boat. How to join: Register and pass inspection on race morning; instant-boat kits on site. | https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php | | Date: 24 Apr 2027: Great Cardboard Boat Regatta 2027, SIU Carbondale. SIU Touch of Nature official page: 24 Apr 2027; races begin at 1pm. Build/use: Muscle-powered cardboard boat. How to join: Register and pass inspection on race morning; instant-boat kits on site. | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php | | Take-part route "Build a cardboard boat and race it" (Team entry): Build a muscle-powered boat from corrugated cardboard (the hull must be cardboard; one-part waterproofing only), then register and pass inspection on race morning. Races run on a U-shaped course of about 300 yards; up to 10 people per boat. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above | | Take-part route "Or build an instant boat on the day" (Workshop / open build): Instant-boat kits (cardboard, a box knife and tape) are handed out at Campus Lake on a first-come, first-served basis; you get about two hours to build. Paddles and life jackets are provided. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above | | Check note: Rules and classes come from the 2026 information form; check the 2027 form before you build. | CSV verification notes / dated items above | | Check note: Spectators are free. | CSV verification notes / dated items above | ## Skills you'll need (section 03) | Fact used | Source | |---|---| | Skills (this experience): Cardboard boat building: hull shape, layered corrugated sheets, glued and taped seams; Waterproofing with a one-part coating (no epoxy or fibreglass); Paddling as a crew and getting out safely if the boat sinks | Skills research, checked 2026-10-14 (IST) | | Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner; prep time (our estimate): 2–3 weekend build sessions (or none with an instant-boat kit). Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate | | Refresher, practice and safety steps: Everything structural must be corrugated cardboard, including the hull, superstructure and seats. / Glue, caulk, tape and staples are allowed as secondary supplies; waterproof the hull with a one-part product only. / Design for a quick exit: every crew member must be able to get out easily if the boat sinks. / Boats are muscle-powered from inside the boat; no swimming or pushing from outside. / The course is a U shape of about 300 yards: round each buoy on the outside. / Life jackets and paddles are provided and must be worn and used; wear water shoes. / Build a small test hull from 2–3 sheets and float it in a pool or bath before the full build. / Practise paddling in rhythm with your crew. / If you can't build at home, plan on the instant-boat kit: about two hours to build on the day. / Wear the life jacket provided at all times on the water. / Design for an easy exit if the boat sinks. / Knives and box cutters: cut away from yourself. | Our summary of the resources below | | Resource (Official; publisher: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center)): Great Cardboard Boat Regatta: Date, time and location of the next regatta. | https://ton.siu.edu/campus-programs/carbondale-boat-regatta.php | | Resource (Official; publisher: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center)): The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta: information form and rules (2026): Race rules, boat classes, instant-boat kits and building tips. | https://ton.siu.edu/_common/documents/the-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-info-form.pdf | | Resource (Official; publisher: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU News)): SIU's Great Cardboard Boat Regatta begins a new half-century of fun April 18: Who takes part and what to expect on the day. | https://news.siu.edu/2026/04/040826-sius-great-cardboard-boat-regatta-begins-a-new-half-century-of-fun-april-18.php | See also: skills guide `skills/human-powered-craft/` ## Check notes shown on the page - Rules and classes come from the 2026 information form; check the 2027 form before you build. - Spectators are free. ## Our grouping - Levels shown: Team entry, Workshop / open build (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Build-compete (open)"). - Usual months used by the month filter: Apr.