Let’s say you’re stuck on a deserted island and all you have is some cardboard, a roll of packing tape, a razor knife, some crayons and your ingenuity.
Could you build a kayak that doesn’t only float but looks good coming into harbour?
That’s the challenge facing intrepid participants in Bowen Island’s Steamship Days.
Teams of five will be given an hour to transform the supplies, listed above, into a kayak which will be paraded around Crippen Park field before being put to the ultimate test: staying afloat.
Last year’s cardboard kayak challenge was won by an aeronautics engineer so the stakes are high.
The challenge takes place both July 11 and 12. Teams are given the supplies at 2pm and have an hour to build their boat.
There are lots of other activities being planned for “three days of music and heritage.”
Highlights include:
• a children’s play zone with lots of kids toys and face painting
• an artisan market on the USSC boardwalk
• a vintage and antique car display on Saturday only
• a MGB display on Sunday
• a wooden boat display including the SS Master, built 93 years ago in False Creek as a First World War mine sweeper
• High Tea at the Davies Orchard Musem from 1 to 4pm on July 11 and 12
• Sundaes on Sunday (July 12) from 11am to 3pm at the museum
• and three days of music at USSC Marina’s main stage featuring Waterfront Jam on July 10 and the Adam Woodall Band on July 11. Other bands include Rock Paper Moon, Taunting Mable, Walk on Dead, Danny Dolen, Kipp Thompson, Razzmajazz, Black Molly and David Graff and the Continental Grifters.
Highlights of events at Bowen Island Marina:
• bring your ukulele and best singing voice to the Friday night barbecue (5 to 7pm) featuring the Snug Cove House Ukulele Band
• a vintage photo display
• representatives from the Vancouver Aquarium will share why they want you to share your dolphin and whale sightings
• a boat safety booth
• knot-tieing workshops with Michael Chapman on Saturday and Sunday afternoons
• listen to the stories of the founder of the Wooden Boat Society
For more details, go to SteamshipDays.com
