It all starts with a cardboard box and some strong tape.  Okay, a really good cardboard box and lots of strong tape!  From there it is just a matter of turning that box into a boat made for two and hoping you can paddle that boat faster than it takes on water.  Otherwise, you and your boat will both have a soggy bottom! 
 
After a successful outing at the last Soggy Bottom Cardboard Boat Regatta organised by Rotary Club of Youngtown, where the RCL Platypus took out the Rotary Championship by a nautical mile (well at least 30 metres) it was dried out and ready to defend it’s title.  Always striving to do better, we found another really good cardboard box and lots more tape and set about improving the design resulting in the RCL Platypus II.  Longer, sleeker and lighter (perhaps not the crew though!) the RCL Platypus II took home the trophy making it two from two.  Be part of Team RCL Platypus III in 2024.
 
The RCL Platypus  crewed by Ed Kilpatrick and Maryanne Simpson take an early lead
 
RCL Platypus II crew of Andrew Kilpatrick and Sonia Smith find their rhythm  and start to make up ground
 
 Winners are Grinners and taking home the huge perpetual trophy and certificate
 
The Soggy Bottom Cardboard Boat Regatta is one of many Rotary organised community events that provides fun and  entertainment while raising money to support local, national and international youth, education and development programs.