EDINBURG – The rules for the race are simple – participants must build their own boats. But the only materials they can use are cardboard and duct tape.

The would-be sailors must get their boat across a giant swimming pool using paddles.

“We have kids here at our reception center for the whole week, and during the week they design and put together a cardboard boat,” Edinburg Parks and Rec Director Joe Filoteo said.

The recent race that took place marks its third annual event.

Parents watch from the sidelines of the pool as their children pile in their handmade boats and begin to paddle across the water. Filoteo reassured there were lifeguards on duty and each child has a life vest.

There are actually three different races depending on the age.

The boats run into mishaps because of the cardboard, but that doesn’t stop the participants.

“We were doing really good and then we leaned too close to the boat and we fell down,” one boy said.

“The people are having a blast, especially when the boats are going down and the kids are screaming,” Balde Gomez, with the Edinburg Crime Stoppers, said.

Jose Esqueda said two of his children were taking part in the race. “This is fun, a lot of fun,” he said.

“Yeah they had a good time. They both made it to the first round,” Luz Esqueda said.

In the older division, the fire department was the winner last year. They celebrated a victory again this year.

“The first year we only had 10 boats. This year we had a total of 28,” Filoteo said.

Only time will tell how many cardboard boats invade the pool next year.

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