Key West’s Minimal Regatta to Feature Maximum Wackiness May 28

Key West’s Minimal Regatta to Feature Maximum Wackiness May 28

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Intrepid sailors can take the fast-growing minimalism trend to new depths (of water, that is) during the 26th annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta set forSunday, May 28.

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, withSunday’s fun scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. when teams can register at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.

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.

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 passenger” 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.

Event organizer, Evalena Worthington said “You never know who or what is going to show up, we’ve had legends of rock, Dracula boating in a coffin, a few nuns made an appearance as well as gondoliers, mobsters and boats on the way to Cuba with Fidel & Raul Castro and Carmen Miranda, even Elvis has been in the building!  The creativity even extends to the paddles, with spinning bats for Dracula’s oars and The Godfather rowed with a fish scale paddle.”

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

Awards include prizes for the fastest boats, most creative designs, best paint jobs, best costumes and sportsmanship — as well as the dreaded “sinker” awards for the least seaworthy entries.

Live music and a barbecue round out the afternoon’s action, and the fun continues into the night.

Event information: www.schoonerwharf.com

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