WHAT IS A CARDBOARD BOAT RACE?

Participants will work in teams of 2 to build a boat and paddles using only cardboard and duct tape. You’ll navigate the treacherous Diamond Lake raceway in front of the Diamond Lake Yacht Club and compete head to head against teams in your category. 

WHEN IS THE 2ST ANNUAL DIAMOND LAKE CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA?

Saturday, September 2nd   

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

·       Arrive with your boat and gear

·       Check-in between 9:00-10:30 am

·       First race (Youth) will be 11:00 am

Other race day information:

·       Diamond Doughnuts will be available on site for coffee and donuts, etc.

·       Food trucks will also be available

·       DJ will be on site with music and announcements

·       Games for the kids

WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR:

·       Stronger cardboard and more cardboard for Adult and Adult/Youth Classes

·       You are able to use unlimited duct tape (not provided)

·       Kid’s games provided by local nonprofits

·       “Diamond Better” award category for best use of new DLA logo

AWARDS

Youth Class (Ages 7 - 14) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place - Fastest Times

Adult/Youth 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place - Fastest Times

Adult Class (Ages 15+) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place - Fastest Times

Creativity Award - Most creative in design (one per class)

“Diamond  Better” Award - Best use of the new DLA logo

HOW MUCH AND HOW DO I REGISTER?

Cost is $45 per kit/per race class.  If you participate in Youth and Adult/Youth, that’s two kits.  Price includes official cardboard pieces.   You will be responsible for providing your duct tape and noodles.  Note: Noodles are optional for use as paddles ONLY. Not attached to the boat itself.

Please note:  We are limiting registration to 60 vessels this year. Registration is OPEN! Click HERE to register your teams. 

HOW DO I GET MY MATERIAL?

Pick up your cardboard at Diamond Dough between 10am -12pm: 8/5, 8/12 or 8/19.

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

• Boats must be pre-built. You can "fine tune" at the event site.

• Boat structure must be made ONLY of 1) cardboard provided to and 2) unlimited duct tape that you supply.  Duct tape with color and pattern print is permitted.

• Participants can also construct paddles (optional) from ONLY: 1) cardboard 2) duct tape 3) pool noodles. Premade oars or paddles made from other materials are not permitted. Paddles are not required, you may use your hands.

• Costumes are encouraged.

• Design is left to the builders. Do not enclose the boat in a way that would impede exiting the vessel when in the water.

• Boats cannot be larger than 60" wide and 84" long.

Fine print:

• Please DO NOT use paint in any form.  Use colorful duct tape in place of paint. 

• You may attach additional decorations with duct tape. Decorations should not be used as structural or flotation elements or contain paint.

• Cardboard cannot be sealed with paint or sealants. 

• No caulking, two part or mixed adhesives, glues, or epoxy.

• No electrical, gasoline, benzene, propane, or other chemical or electrical propulsion systems.

• Boats should be free of sharp edges, pointy objects, or anything else that could cause injury.

PARTICIPATION RULES

• Every crew member must wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Please bring your own, not provided.

• Boats will race a total of approximately 200’ in front of the DLYC.

• During the competition, crew must be inside the boat. No towing the boat, holding it between legs, swimming, or using the PFD to provide flotation of the vessel is permitted.

• Event judges have final decision in approval of boat construction, race completion times, and disqualifications.

• The race must begin and end with the two-person crew intact. Any use of lane lines for pushing or pulling your boat will result in disqualification.

• Participant’s arms and legs must remain inside the boat at all times and should not be used to propel the boats. No swimming, kicking, walking, etc to move the boat forward.

• All boats must be removed from the facility by participants.

Please note:

• This is a fun event and participants are expected to maintain decorum at all times. Unsportsman-like behavior is grounds for disqualification. 

• Throwing water on another boat is a reason for disqualification except in the event of incidental splash of paddles.

• Please do not bring pets to the event.

QUESTIONS? Contact Kevin Bradley at kwb455@yahoo.com

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS:  Many hands make less work. Come and enjoy a day at the lake and support your community. To volunteer, reach out to Kevin Bradley at kwb455@yahoo.com

$30 for DLA Members; $35 for non-members (Become a Member Today)

Your donation will help support local non-profits such as: First Start, Helping Hands, CASA, Cass County Humane Shelter As well as supporting the Village of Cass in future projects as well as any future around the lake improvements.

Net proceeds will benefit the 2023 “Diamond Lake...Better” fund. Better opportunities to SERVE the Community, Better lake health, Better attention to critical issues that impact our members!

PLEASE PICKUP YOUR BOOKLETS & BOOTIES AT THE YACHT CLUB 9am until 11am 

Want to add your house to the walk? Contact us for more info.

Diamond Lake Yacht Club hosted - The Jerry O’Phonics

DLA residents are invited to pull up their watercraft and enjoy the music from their vessels 

All Community Engagement events are funded through your direct contributions and NOT through DLA membership fees.

No registration is required, just cruise on over.

More Info

A fantastic sprint triathlon located on the fabulous Diamond Lake in Cassopolis, Michigan. The transition area is based out of the Diamond Lake marina.

500 Yard Swim out from the Marina into beautiful Diamond lake. 

The  13 mile bike  route is an out and back course, starting around the lake, then out on country roads, and back. Flat and fast.The 3.3 mile run goes the opposite direction around the lake on an out and back.

What we love about the the out and back courses is you get to see all of your friends on the course! 

Spectators are encouraged to bring a camp chair for the side of the road, where there will be non stop action! Of course, we always need volunteers so please encourage your family to actively spectate as a volunteer.

This race is a fundraiser for several local organizations, including the Cass County Fire Department.

NOTES: On race day, you cannot park at the Marina or Yacht Club. There is plenty of parking within a block or two of the race. When you arrive, just follow the instructions from the volunteers. 

Diamond Lake Triathlon is a fundraiser for Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Cass County Fire Department.

Stanicek hosted - Barry Clark and the Heavy Load

DLA residents are invited to pull up their watercraft and enjoy the music from their vessels 

All Community Engagement events are funded through your direct contributions and NOT through DLA membership fees.

No registration is required, just cruise on over.

💠 Live Event: “How you can impact the lake's future.”
🔹 When: Sunday, July 9th, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
🔹 Where: The public launch
🔹 Cost: Free
💠 We're fortunate to live on one of Michigan's premier spring-fed lakes. Together, let’s be good stewards and strive to make "Diamond Better” for generations to come.
💠 Join us to meet and interact with lake conservation experts and learn how YOU can shape the lake's future.
💠 These experts include:
• Alex Florian, SWxSW CISMA Invasive Species Coordinator
• Jake Young, Executive Director of Cass County Conservation District
• Julia Kirkwood w/ EGLE & Chair of ShorelinePartnership.org
• Melissa DiSimone, Executive Director of MI Lakes & Streams Association
• Miko Dargitz, Development Director of Southwest MI Land Conservancy
😀 Look forward to seeing you there!

Gallagher hosted - The High Life

DLA residents are invited to pull up their watercraft and enjoy the music from their vessels 

All Community Engagement events are funded through your direct contributions and NOT through DLA membership fees.

Please contribute HERE or at the event.

No registration is required, just cruise on over.

Murray hosted - Dead on Diamond - Grateful Dead tribute Band: Dead White and Blue

DLA residents are invited to pull up their watercraft and enjoy the music from their vessels 

All Community Engagement events are funded through your direct contributions and NOT through DLA membership fees.

Please contribute HERE or at the event.

No registration is required, just cruise on over.

Parents should be notified that the class may end as early as 2:30pm. Also, one parent will be allowed to supervise several attendees who are under the age of 16.  The instructors cannot be responsible for children under the age of 16.  So, any designated adult will do.  

 The only way to sign up for it is online at Mich.gov/DNR. 

Here are the instructions:

•  Go to  Mich.gov/DNR      

• Click on upper bar "Education and safety"

• In the drop down click on "recreational safety and hunter education"

• Click on "search for a class" 

• Scroll down to "boater's education classes" 

• Click on "upcoming events"

• Scroll down to "June 17th Diamond Lake Yacht Club" 

• Click on "sign up" then create an account (you will need to remember you email and password for all future use with the DNR)

• To register a child, you will need to create a linked account.  

If you have problems, you may text Debi Tuttle at 574-292-1419 or contact Megan Hall at 269-641-2304

Volunteers needed. Click HERE to volunteer

Teams will compete for prizes in different categories

Local experts will share their insights about Diamond Lake  

Registration information is coming soon.

Diamond Lake Association Annual Meeting

Saturday, June 10 at 9 AM at the Diamond Lake Yacht Club

Note From DLA President Dave Bolen

It’s my pleasure to invite you to our Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 10, 9 AM at the Diamond Lake Yacht Club. I know it will be a great day on Diamond Lake, so we promise to keep it short to get you back on the lake. No more than 90 minutes, and try for shorter.

We have an exciting agenda that I know will make it worth your investment of time…

A quick update on DLA committees, activities, and plans for “Diamond Better” in 2023

A presentation from Dave Allen, representing the new MEC Smart Park, focused on steps they are taking to ensure they are great Neighbors to Diamond Lake

A presentation from Sheriff Behnke about local issues you should be aware of

And a few governance requirements

If you cannot attend, please complete the attached Proxy and send it to a neighbor to help us with the governance requirements.

On behalf of the Board that has worked hard to make “Diamond Better”...

We look forward to seeing you!

Download and view/print the meeting documents:

First Thursdays (Thirstdays!) in conjunction with our host, Holden Green.

For each of the events, please expect to enjoy tastings, accompanying appetizers, education and fellowship!
April 6 – Craft Beer 101 - 6:30pm

Village representatives will join to share current happenings and projects.

Food will be available for purchase. Please register to attend at Holden Green.

Holden Green: 159 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031

First Thursdays (Thirstdays!) in conjunction with our host, Holden Green.

For each of the events, please expect to enjoy tastings, accompanying appetizers, education and fellowship!
March 2 – Whiskey 101 - 6:30pm
April 6 – Craft Beer 101 - Save the Date

Village representatives will join to share current happenings and projects.

Food will be available for purchase. Please register to attend at Holden Green.

Holden Green: 159 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031

First Thursdays (Thirstdays!) in conjunction with our host, Holden Green.

For each of the events, please expect to enjoy tastings, accompanying appetizers, education and fellowship!
February 2 – Wine 101 - 6:30pm
March 2 – Whiskey 101 - Save the Date
April 6 – Craft Beer 101 - Save the Date

Village representatives will join to share current happenings and projects.

Food will be available for purchase. Please register to attend at Holden Green.

Holden Green: 159 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031

First Thursdays (Thirstdays!) in conjunction with our host, Holden Green.

For each of the events, please expect to enjoy tastings, accompanying appetizers, education and fellowship!

January 5 – Spirits 101 Starts at 6:30pm!
February 2 – Wine 101 - Save the Date
March 2 – Whiskey 101 - Save the Date
April 6 – Craft Beer 101 - Save the Date

Village representatives will join to share current happenings and projects.

Food will be available for purchase. Please register to attend at Holden Green.

Holden Green: 159 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031