Chesterfield Inlet (Sep 08/04) - Mix two rolls of duct tape, one roll of aluminum foil, some cardboard and a little ingenuity and you may be surprised at the result.

For students at Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet, the combination of ingredients spurred them on to build cardboard kayaks. Ones that actually float.

The Grade 7-12 students took part in the third annual cardboard kayak race at the school Aug. 20.

Teacher and organizer Glen Brocklebank couldn't keep the pride out of his voice at this year's results. Of the ten boats that attempted to paddle across Police Lake, nine reached the opposite shore.

"They've improved dramatically," he said.

When students set out with their cardboard creations three years ago, the result was the opposite. Only one boat actually made it across the lake.

Brocklebank credits the improvement to the two days of design work done in class before race day.

"They have to design it before they start building it. It gets them to conceptualize what they are going to make," he said.

This year's kayaks resembled sleek, silver vessels prepared for the rainy conditions presented to them that Friday. One-hundred and fifty people gathered to watch the show.

Next step, real boats

The race was originally started while the school was waiting for materials to build ocean-worthy wooden kayaks.

The boat-building course is ongoing at the school. Brocklebank is expecting the materials to build 10 traditional kayaks, complete with seal skins, to arrive on the barge any day now.

A grant from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth helps facilitate the program.

"This cardboard kayak race gets them all excited and ready to make the kayaks," he said.

Students won't be using any duct tape on the 17-foot boats, but they will be using some of the design skills they learned with their soggy creations.

As the rain poured down on Aug. 20, Sandy Aggark and Jason Aggark paddled the approximately 250 foot distance to the opposite shore the fastest.

Their other team members -- Amie Aggark, Brenda Aggark and Wendie Makpah -- cheered from land.