Cardboard Regatta in the base's 'Lagoon'

IEl Centro — Waves lapped around the ship as the captain and the only passenger on board tried to navigate through rough waters to reach their destination. Naval Air Facility El Centro sailors cheered enthusiastically during the challenge on Friday, Aug. 23, in which the eventual winner, Kiana Allen, was able to successfully make her maiden voyage across the lagoon as part of the Cardboard Regatta.

Although it didn’t exactly take place in open water, but rather in the NAFEC swimming pool, also known as “The Lagoon,” that didn’t stop Allen and colleague Joseph Nava from being prepared for any conditions on Friday. The event was closed to the public, giving those on base a special opportunity to engage in some light-hearted competition among themselves.

Morale, welfare and recreation staff at the military base reported attendance should be better next year, but the team was ready to bring the competition back after the pandemic, and a poolside party was organized after the race.

The lagoon was transformed for a “Treasure Island” themed farewell to summer that took place Friday evening, perfect for summer fun. “Every year we have a party at the end of summer for families, to celebrate school coming back and things getting back to normal for families. We go to the pool, we play games, we listen to music, we have drinks. Adult and kid friendly,” said Whitney Hurd, MWR employee who planned the party.

Allen was “voluntarily told” in typical military style that she would be participating in the Cardboard Regatta event, which hasn’t happened at NAFEC since COVID-19 shut everything down globally. “I started helping out at the beginning… it was everybody else on the team,” she said, pointing to her co-workers who were working on taping every inch of the bottom of a makeshift cardboard boat.

“I don't know much about boats,” Allen laughed before the program began.

Cardboard Regatta

The concept of the contest was simple: Build a boat made of cardboard and tape, jump in and paddle from one side of the pool to the other…and keep it from sinking or capsizing before the contest begins. Unsure of how many would show up after a four-year hiatus, only one boat showed up at the NAF Cardboard Regatta, a masterpiece crafted by “The Lagoon” lifeguard crew at a cost of about $30, according to a staffer’s estimate.

Before the race, the lifeguard crew inspected their vessel and discovered that not enough duct tape had been used to keep it afloat, and they quickly beefed up their work. The crew taped the entire bottom of their homemade vessel.

The event on Friday afternoon was light-hearted entertainment for all, and those enjoying 'The Lagoon' cheered on the lifeguard crew who brought an entertaining finale to the week. Before the fun began, NAFEC Morale, Wellness and Recreation Marketing Technician Charla Teeters provided more information about why the event was taking place.

“So part of our mission is to plan events that give the Sailors and their families a chance to have fun. … We're still pretty remote here and sometimes there's not a lot going on here, so we need to make sure they have plenty to do to keep them busy and enjoy life in El Centro,” Teeters shared.

Although only one boat showed up, they still had to complete the competition and successfully make a full lap in the pool, driving the swimming sailors into water that was cooling off after a long week of work. Teeters encouraged the sailors to challenge the strength of the cardboard and give the lifeguard volunteer an extra challenge.

The event was pure fun, and Alan looked only slightly scared as he made his way to the cardboard masterpiece floating in the shallow end of the pool, laughing with worry that he would fall into the water. The Soldier hopped around in the water at Teeters' encouragement, giving Alan an extra challenge in his otherwise smooth sailing.

After the successful return, the lifeguard crew decided to go again and test the durability of their craftsmanship since they had no other competitors. Lifeguard Joseph Nava tried next, and he almost made it to the deep end of the pool before the water submerged his vessel and eventually flipped it over. Nava was a good sportsman though and said that participating in the event was fun. “I’m not here for one of the boat races, this is my first one,” he shared while still drying off.

Following the regatta, “The Lagoon” was the site of a pirate party with decorations taken straight from the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean” to give sailors a chance to relax and take part in other summer activities as the weekend kicked off.