19th Annual Gopher Boat Race

Every year The GHS Science Dept. Host a Boat race/ competition for any Freshmen students.. offered as an Extra Credit Project. There were more than 20 boats that entered. They could do it by themselves or have a partner. Cole chose to do it with his friend Randy Thompson. They spent approximately 8 hours designing and building their boat. The object of this competition was for the students to make their boats using only, plastics, cardboard, pvc pipes, recycled plactic materials and tape. And for the boat to be able to hold them and paddle the length of the pool. They were each timed on their speed, and judged on their design. And lastly which boat could hold the most people and make it across the pool. As you will see in these pictures that the students were very creative. I would say that out of the 20, only 7 of them made it across the pool before they sunk or their boat fell apart. It was very entertaining and fun to watch. I over heard one of the teachers say that this was their largest turnout. The bleachers were full of spectators cheering for their friends. As i mentioned they had to use paddles to get across. some of the designs of the boats could have made it if they could have just used their hands and feet.
The majority of the boaters got wet.

Like this one
This red boat is awesome. I am pretty certain it had the 2nd best time.. and design. These girls did a great job.
For most of the boaters the most difficult part was getting in their boats with out tipping them over.

Okay I really don't know how I got this picture in there twice... I am going to blame it on multiple interuptions while trying to upload the pics for this post. lol

So here is Cole and Randy with their boat. They used recycled roofing material... they were 4x4 ft chunks. The boys used this hot wire cutter to shape the design until it broke then they torched a machete to finish up. Then used alot of duct tape to put a seal all around it.

The boys had the fastest time across the pool.

They also won best design and their boat held the most people. They got 9 boys in it.

This boat I think could float down the sandy river with no problems!

Cole was very relunctant to do this project. We basically had to insist that he do it. He actually had fun and said it wasn't so bad, and glad he did it! Great job Cole and Randy. Your boat floated and it was the best!