We heard that Student Union Activities at KU is holding a Cardboard Boat Regatta at Potter Lake on Saturday, and we got a wee bit nostalgic.

You see, eleven years ago, we built a cardboard boat and sent four of our people onto Clinton Lake in it. They’re all still alive. In fact, we had so much fun, we did it again the next year.

I think it was an event put on by the Chamber of Commerce for a couple of years back in 2004 and 2005. But you all know how much we love building floats, and a cardboard boat didn’t seem all that different.

Here’s to the SandBarge of 2004:

Cardboard Boat Races, 2004
This one paid homage to our St. Patrick’s Day float, the Love Boat, on a much smaller and less-sturdy scale.

Cardboard Boat Races, 2004

Cardboard Boat Races, 2004

Cardboard Boat Races, 2004
You might be wondering about that last photo. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring along a bunch of water balloons and a giant balloon slingshot, and launch the balloons at the boats on the water.

I’ll let you all decide who that “someone” was.

Most people thought it was funny. But there were a few who didn’t, and we kind of got in trouble. As much trouble as you can get in at a cardboard boat race, anyway.

We built another cardboard boat in 2005:

Cardboard Boat Races 2005

No, Target did not sponsor this creation. Though they should have, for as much money as some of us have spent in their stores.

Cardboard Boat Races 2005
Clearly, we didn’t learn anything the first time, and brought a giant cooler full of water balloons again.

You probably aren’t surprised that Dave is manning the slingshot. He likes pelting people with water balloons. He’s also way too big to be on the cardboard boat, so this was the next best thing.

And finally, our favorite. We wish this was our boat.

Cardboard Boat Races 2005
So, students of KU: do you have what it takes to build a boat out of cardboard that can float on Potter Lake? We can’t wait to see them.