The Annual Buccaneer Cardboard Boat Regatta challenges amateur boat builders to design, build, and navigate boats made entirely of corrugated cardboard. Come and enjoy the fun as you watch the masterful maneuvers of boats braving the waves at Hollecker Lake. All boats must be built of corrugated cardboard. Other acceptable materials are duct tape, glue, caulking, and paint. No cardboard and wood, no cardboard and plastic, no cardboard and metal. The only exceptions are the oars. These exceptions are not considered part of the boat and can be made of materials other than cardboard. All boats must be human-powered. No motors. 

Goals

The Dawson Community College Buccaneer Regatta is a fun, enjoyable, and good-time race. Therefore, no matter how fast, slow, big, small, sensible, or outrageous your boat is, the first rule is that the boat designers, builders, racers, and supporters have fun. The race is open to everyone. 

How to Enter: It's Easy!

Fill out entry form online below, download the paper registration form and email it to info@dawson.edu , pick up a registration form from the DCC Main Office or the Assistant to the President's office, or register the day of the event from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (pre-registration is highly encouraged to get heats lined out ahead of time). All contestants are required to sign the safety waiver before competing in the boat race. Minors must have a responsible parent/guardian sign the waiver. Each boat must have a designated Captain. The Captain must check in at the registration area on the day of the race. 

Schedule

When: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Registration: 9:30 am
Concourse de Cardboard:  9:30 – 10:00 (Voting for Awards occurs during this time)
Race time: 10:00 am
Where: Hollecker Lake Park, Glendive, MT
Questions: Call 406.377-9400

Entries:

Race Divisions

• DCC Student Race
• Community Race
  • Youth (ages 5-11)
  • Adult (Age 12 and older)

The Day of the Race…

Boat unloading will begin at 8:30 am, Saturday, August 6th, and must be completed by 9:15 am.  To create a safe and orderly area, all vehicles and trailers will be removed from the loading area to the adjacent parking areas. Also, remember we must leave lanes clear for safety vehicles.

At 9:30, the Concourse de Cardboard, will be open for public display and voting.  The public will be voting on People’s Choice (DCC, Youth, and Adult).  Please feel free to decorate your area and display your boat so that the public can view your boat in all its glory.  Bribing the public is not only allowed but encouraged.

Life jackets must be worn by all crew members when on board. You should bring your own. Please remember that everything you bring in must be taken back out, and your loading area must be left clean.  After the regatta, you must remove all pieces of your boat from the water.

Please note that photographs taken during the festival may be used in promotional materials.