Mock the Boat

Cardboard Regatta ships off in Tempe

Comments (0) By Kim Toms Thursday, Apr 15 2004

Sat 4/17
Let's face it: Boston harbors the big ships, and we're not exactly known for our nautical prowess. But you can help change that by embarking on a day of fun this Saturday, April 17. Cheer for your favorite mariners in what may someday be known as "Arizona's Cup" -- the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta at Tempe Town Lake. Design teams have gone overboard engineering vessels seaworthy of coveted awards such as "the Vogue" for best dressed and "the Titanic" for the "most spectacular sinking ship." And, true to naval tradition, lowly sailors bow to stern masters, paddling like mad in 200-yard heats.

Tough row: The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta sails away at Tempe Town Lake.

Elaine Bell

Girl power: The Arizona Caliente are holding tryouts.

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The cardboard competition begins at 10 a.m. at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, east of Tempe Beach, and is free to spectators. View the fleet in advance on Friday, April 16, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 480-682-9065 or visit www.rotaryriverrally.com. -- Kim Toms

Ride (In The Name Of Love)
Cyclists pedal for a good cause

Sat 4/17
Riding a bike that doesn't go anywhere seems, in theory, to be pretty pointless. Unless you're doing it to shed some pounds or to help a good cause, which is why 50 spinners will sweat it out for four hours on Saturday, April 17, at the second annual "Ride for Their Lives" fund raiser for HomeBase Youth Services. The spinners, who will raise money for every hour they ride, will cycle on stationary bikes to workout music, with only a couple of 10-minute breaks. Ride for Their Lives begins at 6 a.m. at Studio 360, 3627 East Indian School, Suite 102. Call 602-790-8278 for details. -- Joe Watson

Play Like a Girl
Women's football tryouts begin

Sat 4/17
Wanna play football, ladies? They won't go easy on your kind at the Arizona Caliente women's football tryouts on Saturday, April 17. In fact, Angie Darnell, a four-year veteran and defensive captain, says she and the rest of the Caliente roster can't wait to get you on the field. "These new girls coming in don't have any idea of the toughness that's needed to play on this team," says Darnell, the team's 5-foot-3, 190-pound middle linebacker. "It's gonna take a lot of time and a lot of heart." Those tough enough to make it onto the Caliente squad (which finished 8-2 last year in the full-contact Women's Professional Football League) will travel with the team to play in WPFL cities in California, Wisconsin, New York and Minnesota. Tryouts, with registration beginning at noon, are at the Tempe Sports Complex off Warner and Hardy. For more information, visit www.arizonacaliente.com. -- Joe Watson