BELFAST — While this year’s batch of Cardboard Boat Race competitors was considerably smaller than in years past, there was no shortage of spirited spectators ready to cheer them on.

The annual event, which is part of Harbor Fest, took place in the waters off of Belfast’s Boathouse Aug. 20, with three handmade boats ready to compete.

With the boats arriving between 10-10:30 a.m., the crowd was then given roughly fifteen minutes to visit each boat before choosing their favorite.

One of the boats, belonging to a father-son team, was modeled after a shark, complete with a cutout in the mouth so that the young paddler could stick his face through during judging. The boat, named Hungry, was splattered with red paint for added effect.

There were also two school aged participants that crafted a boat resembling a banana, dubbed the S.S. Banana Boat, with both paddlers wearing identical banana costumes during the judging period and the race itself.

The third craft was a four-man rectangular boat, emblazoned with the name Cupcake, a treat the boat’s captain had on hand during judging. The sweet offerings were a big hit with the crowd, though not quite enough to win the coveted people’s choice award.

Since there were only three entrants, all the boats competed at once, instead of in designated heats as is usually the case.

While all three started strong, the S.S. Banana Boat began taking on water shortly after starting the race, completely slipping under in a matter of seconds. For some this may have been a negative, but both young paddlers mentioned earlier in the day that they hoped to sink.

Team Hungry quickly took the lead, though team Cupcake remained in hot pursuit throughout the competition. Teams were required to travel to and around a designated buoy, monitored by the crowd and nearby event personnel, ready to step in when needed.

Though neither boy encountered difficulty after their boat sank, two life guards made their way into the water to help the two floating bananas, and their now sunken boat.

Meanwhile, teams Hungry and Cupcake fought with all their might for the first place finish, though Hungry would come in victorious.

All competitors received constant and loud support from the large crowd gathered on the beach, and on the Boathouse lawn.

When it came time for the presentation of awards, event emcee and Belfast Parks and Recreation Director Norman Poirier joked about cupcake bribery, before revealing that the crowd had selected the S.S. Banana Boat as the People’s Choice Award. It was something that wasn’t entirely surprising to its two creators, Isaac and Brendan, who said that several people had told them they’d voted for the banana boat.

Isaac said the idea came to them when they noticed that a canoe is similarly shaped to a banana.

“And I conveniently had a banana costume, so it just furthered the model of the banana,” he said.

For his part, Brendan said he was onboard with the idea right away, and the two were able to build the boat in roughly one week.

While it was Brendan’s first time competing in a cardboard boat race, Isaac said he participated in one other cardboard boat challenge, though that time his boat didn’t sink.

Asked which race was more fun, the one with the sinking boat or without, Isaac was quick to answer.

“Sinking,” he said enthusiastically.

As for whether they’ll be back next year, the boys answered yes in unison.

There are typically awards handed out for first to the finish line in a variety of categories, including individual youth, individual adult, team 1 - designated for non-profit youth organizations, team 2 - designated for businesses and other adult organizations, and a family category.

This year there were more awards to go around than teams. With Hungry taking first overall, Cupcake took the prize for adult teams, and the S.S. Banana Boat won best sinking of the day, and people’s choice.

As the last medal and miniature oar was handed out and the event drew to a close, Poirier used the opportunity to encourage more people to participate next year.

Video courtesy of Terry Boivin. 

Additional photos here.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com