All Hands on Deck: Creativity Floats at the 9th Long-View Cardboard Boat Regatta

Every spring, there’s a singular energy that builds in our community—a blend of anticipation, nervous excitement, and the unmistakable rustle of cardboard. On May 2, the Loop 360 Boat Ramp Park came alive as we held our ninth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Seventeen boats, each thoughtfully crafted by our learners, took to the waters of Lake Austin in a spirited event that highlights creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

We’re especially grateful to Travis County Parks for providing this beautiful park as the perfect setting—open space and sparkling water—for our event. This treasured community resource created an inspiring backdrop for our students to put their ideas to the test.

But the regatta is about much more than launching boats on the water. It’s a hands-on exploration of physics, problem-solving, and resilience. Over several weeks, teams worked together to design, build, and refine their boats, learning firsthand about buoyancy, balance, and resilience.  On regatta day, some boats sailed smoothly, others capsized spectacularly. Regardless of each vessel’s fate, every moment was a chance to reflect, adapt, and cheer each other on.

What makes the Cardboard Boat Regatta so special is not just the spectacle but also the way it encapsulates our approach to learning at Long-View: embracing challenges as opportunities to grow, valuing process over perfection, encouraging reflection, and celebrating learning as a shared community experience. Families, teachers, and friends gathered to support and encourage, making the day as much about connection as testing out cardboard boat designs.

As we look ahead to next year’s regatta, we remain committed to providing meaningful,  authentic learning experiences that challenge and inspire our students. We thank everyone who contributed to making this day successful, and we appreciate Travis County Parks for, once again, hosting us in such a welcoming space and making this memorable event possible.