Cub Scouts celebrate successful rain gutter regatta

Fil Butierez/ Arizona Silver Belt Pack Master Thomas Medina gives the signal to start the “wind-powered” small boat race at Saturday’s first annual Rain Gutter Regatta race hosted by the Cub Scouts at the Moose Lodge in Claypool.

Claypool — Saturday, July 14 marked the first annual Rain Gutter Regatta in the local area since the early 1980s. Hosted by Pack #86 of the local Cub Scouts, the races consisted of six of the troop’s eight members, a few parents and siblings and Pack Master Thomas Medina.

The scouts were given building materials to produce small race boats and pirate costumes, including paper swords, eye patches and hats.

The boats were raced by the participants by blowing the boats along a gutter filled with water. The first to reach the end with the boat standing wins. The participants were not allowed to touch the boats with their hands once the races began.

If the boats were capsized because of wind or taking on water, Pack Master Thomas would set it back on track accordingly.

Taking top honors was Curtis Shriner. Second place went to Edward Reynolds, third place to Nicholas Keller, and the open class winner was Kaileen Shriner. All who attended had a good time and look forward to the event again next year. Pack Master Medina would like to remind everyone that the Pinewood Durby will be coming up soon, however, the date has not yet been officially decided. Good job Scouts!