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Saturday, 16 August

Swanage RNLI Build-a-boat competition 2025

Can you build a boat in 4 hours from the materials we provide you and race it around our course?

By RNLI Events

Date and time

Location

Prince Albert Gardens

Prince Albert Gardens Swanage BH19 2AR United Kingdom

Agenda

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sign in at Prince Albert Gardens

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Build time

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Boats move to the water for testing

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Race time!

Good to know

Highlights

4 hours
In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event

About this event

This is your chance to build a boat that floats (hopefully!) from a limited number of materials that will be supplied to you on entry.

Only hand tools (including battery power tools) are allowed to create you boat from a sheet of ply, some batten and some screws and tape!

There are 4 hours to build the boat before sea trials and if your boat floats, a race to the finish line.

Please see below for more information regarding cold-water activities

Cold water shock

Top tip for cold water dips

Privacy Notice:

We will always store your personal details securely, and they will only be used by the RNLI, RNLI Shop and RNLI College. Your data may also be used for analysis purposes, to help us provide the best service possible. We will only allow your information to be used by suppliers working on our behalf and we’ll only share it if required to do so by law.

For full details see our Privacy Policy at RNLI.org/PrivacyPolicy or contact our Supporter Experience Team on 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country).

Keep in touch

When using Eventbrite we will collect your personal details in order to register and communicate with you about this event only.

If you would you like to receive more information from the RNLI you can register RNLI.org/preferences or call 0300 300 9990.

Even if you have received our communications in the past, we’ll make sure we honour the preferences you express here.

Frequently asked questions

Do you provide buoyancy aids?

No, please bring your own, you won't be allowed to race without one.

How long is the course?

It varies a bit depending on the weather but it's about 10 to 15 minutes of paddling. We try and keep it fun but just long enough to make it worthwhile.

What tools do I need?

As a bare minimum you'll need a saw, a hammer, a screwdriver and a skeleton gun to get the glue out of the tube. You can however bring any hand tools you like but they must be battery powered.

Organised by

RNLI Events