Key West’s Minimal Regatta to Feature Maximum Wackiness May 27

Key West’s Minimal Regatta to Feature Maximum Wackiness May 27

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Intrepid sailors can take the fast-growing minimalism trend to new depths (of water, that is) during the 27th annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta set for Sunday, May 27.

To compete in the wacky challenge, each six-member team must construct a craft out of the most minimal supplies: a single sheet of 4-by-8-foot plywood, two 8-foot-long 2-by-4s, a pound of fasteners and a trusty roll of duct tape.

Regatta rules even forbid the use of caulking or adhesives, though epoxy paint is permitted.

The “sink or swim” challenge is a Memorial Day Weekend tradition in the Florida Keys, with Sunday’s fun scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. when teams can register at Regatta headquarters, Schooner Wharf Bar. Spectators can get an up-close look at the ingenuity and creativity of the vessels during Inspection at 12:30 then watch the first heat soon after 1:00 p.m.

Participants can compete in either the race’s kayak/canoe design or open design categories. Many choose offbeat vessel themes and wear wacky costumes or accessories. Awards include prizes for the fastest boats, most creative designs, best paint jobs, best costumes and sportsmanship plus the dreaded “sinker” awards for the least seaworthy entries.

Teams are tasked with keeping their boats afloat while navigating a short course in the waters off the Schooner Wharf. Each must have a “designated paddler” who either returns in triumph or goes down with the ship.

The vessels’ construction may be minimalist, but that typically maximizes the hilarity for spectators on hand to support their favorites.

You never know who or what is going to show up — Dracula boating in a coffin, with spinning bats for oars, a few nuns made an appearance as well as gondoliers, and boats on the way to Cuba with Fidel & Raul Castro and Carmen Miranda, even Elvis has been in the building!

The creativity and ingenuity is endless; past entries have also included a dragon-headed boat piloted by a female “Viking,” space aliens in their spacecraft, the cast of Gilligan’s Island and the S.S. Minnow, paddleboats, galleons and Barbie dream boats!

Enjoy steel pan rhythms of reggae, calypso and ska by Last Mango Duo from noon ’til 5, followed by Cayo Ritmo Trio in the evening–sounds of the islands, rock, funk and soul. Drink specials and a barbecue round out the Memorial Day celebration.

To enter or for more info.: (305) 292-3302 or visit Schoonerwharf.com or Facebook.

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