Teams hit the water for Sail & Bail event

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on November 15, 2024.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Wearing a festive cap, a Vauxhall student races across the pool at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre during the Career Transitions Sail & Bail cardboard boat races Thursday at the University of Lethbridge.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Students from 33 different schools in southwestern Alberta converged upon the newly reopened Max Bell Aquatic Centre at the University of Lethbridge on Thursday for Sail & Bail 2024, Career Transitions’ annual cardboard boat race.

Competing in two divisions, the 200 students were tasked with constructing in 90 minutes competing cardboard boats that not only could hold a passenger for a frantic paddle across the width of the pool but carry three of four team members for 60 seconds without sinking if their watercraft survived the journey intact.

Judy Stolk-Ingram, executive director of Career Transitions, said during a break in the action that “this is the most fun event of the year.”

The students, she said, didn’t realize how much they were learning during the fun event as they used the math and science knowledge they garnered from school but also numerous employability skills including teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and communication.

“I definitely think there are some budding engineers in the group,” said Stolk-Ingram.

Teams competed in two divisions – senior for grades 10-12 and junior for grades 7-9.

As well as getting points for speed in the timed races and time afloat during post-race weight tests, teams were evaluated on their design, construction quality, teamwork and visual appeal of their crafts.

Teams were given basic tools and limited material to build their craft, namely a couple of sheets of cardboard, a cutting tool and tape.

Students represented schools from the Crowsnest Pass to Grassy Lake and Claresholm south.

Career Transitions is a charitable organization that has partnerships with six school divisions in southwestern Alberta.

Career Transitions is also hosting an event on Nov. 21 called Ed-Venture, a post-secondary and training fair from 5 until 8 p.m. at the YMCA of Lethbridge on Mauritania Road West.

More than 40 post-secondary institutions and training providers from different places in Canada will be on hand to help students plan their futures.

In addition to the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic, post-secondary institutions from out of province will be at the fair.