Duck Tape Regatta Held at Willoughby Harbor AVMG Marina

Norfolk, Va. -- It's a chance for a community to give back, and an opportunity to test their duck-taped sailing skills. Some made it across the finish line, while others tasted salt water. This was the scene at this year's Duck Tape Regatta, held at Willoughby Harbor AVMG Marina Saturday, August 23, 2008.

The marina, located on 1525 Bayville Street in Norfolk Va., has been hosting the event for five years, welcoming those to challenge the waters with their boats made of wood and duck tape.

According to the Regatta's website, participants have "four hours to create a 'boat' out of kit that contains a sheet of plywood, two 2x4s, a roll of duct tape, and a pound of screws. Afterwards the boats are manned and launched into a race for seaworthiness and speed."

Boat building began at 9 p.m., with the regatta beginning at 2 p.m.

Spectators enjoyed the thrill of relaxing at the marina and watching the competitors build their boats on site. Once the boats were constructed, they were judged. Best-decorated boat went to "Disco Fever", best design was awarded to "Titanic", and best built went to "Cinco De Boat".

Most unique boat went to "Cozy Castaway", while the Rubber Duck Award was given to "Breaking Wind". "Just Ducky" rounded out the last of the awards, receiving the Spirit Award.

The Duck Tape Regatta (DTR) is a unique fund-raiser for the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD.) Members of The King's Daughters' Union of Hands Circle coordinated the event. The regatta has raised nearly $100,000 for CHKD since its first year.

Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters is the facility for pediatric care in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

CHKD Health System provides the staff, facilities and technologies that address the unique demands of childhood from providing children hospitalization, ongoing care for a chronic illness, outpatient surgery or primary care.

Since the Norfolk City Union of The King's Daughters established the hospital in 1961, According to their website at http://www.chkd.org, CHKD has undergone two major renovations and expansions and is now at the hub of a comprehensive system of caring dedicated exclusively to children. The site also reports that construction began this summer on CHKD's new Health Center in Chesapeake.

The 60,000-square-foot, three-story building will be situated on nearly 7 acres at 500 Discovery Drive in the Oakbrooke Business and Technology Center near the intersection of Battlefield Boulevard and Kempsville Road.

The center will house practices and services currently located in Greenbrier on Volvo Parkway and at Kingsborough Square. Additionally, a sleep lab and a therapy pool will be included at the new location. Planned opening is December 2009.