Community gets arrrr-tsy making cardboard boats to race at Katys Cove

CBC

19-07-2025

A Bocabec, N.B., couple began gathering corrugated cardboard after an event floating across social media piqued their interest.
Saturday afternoon's cardboard boat race at Katys Cove will be a first for both the Town of Saint Andrews and the Cassells family. It is one among many activities happening across the community as part of a four-day Fundy Pirates Fest.
Sylva and her husband, Seann, thought building a cardboard boat that can carry them and their four-year-old son, Joseph, would be a fun family adventure this summer, she said.
She said her husband decided to be the boat maker while she was responsible for the decor and esthetics. She said it took him 48 hours to build the vessel that they named The Jolly Joseph.
"It's not a small ship," said Cassells.
"It's a challenge, so my husband likes challenges, which is why he's so gung-ho for it, and the other part is because it's pirates, and how can you say no for that?"
Cassells said they are a family of strong swimmers and she has experience working as a lifeguard. She is not worried about getting wet.
However, their goal isn't the Titanic award, which is the prize for the most spectacular sinking. Their goal is to win the race.
"I'm pretty sure my husband's aiming to have his boat make it to the end," she said.
Cassells said she plans to wear a pirate costume at the race and her son would also be dressed up. It may take some convincing for her husband to wear the outfit, she said.
"When you have such a young person in your life, you want to spend as many moments making memories with them as possible. [Joseph] is very excited.
"He wants to go on another race himself without me and his dad ... so we promised him that after this boat is made and completed, we'll let him make a smaller cardboard race that he can attempt to do by himself, just for him," she said.
Youth between ages eight and 12 at the Community Youth Activity Centre in Saint Andrews have also built two cardboard boats for the race.
Amanda Harrington, the centre's supervisor, helped the team using her previous experience of building a boat with recyclables.
Harrington said she loves to build things using her hands and thought the activity will help the youth learn how to use their imagination, by stepping out of the digital world.
Harrington said she has a background in paddling that will come handy.
She will be the main boat's captain and 14-year old Gordy Savoie will be sailing in the other.
Ten teams are scheduled to participate in the race but more could show up at the last minute, said Merven Hanselpacker, the recreation manager for Saint Andrews.
Boats will be inspected before the race to make sure it is a fair game. Prizes included best boat and costume, most spectacular sinking, and overall race winner.