Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash

Saturday, March 8, 2025

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Location: Baby Beach, Dana Point Harbor

Location on Event Map: 2, 3

Register Your Team or Sponsor a Boat

Westwind Sailing is honored to host the 8th annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash during the Dana Point Festival of Whales! This event is a fun-filled, family-oriented day that includes a cardboard boat building contest and race (the Dinghy Dash), business barge exhibition and public vote, food, event celebrity emcee – Jim Taylor, music and awards. It’s serious fun for competitors and spectators alike!

The Cardboard Classic is a free event and open to the public. Our main event is the Dinghy Dash which features a beach full of sea hardy captains racing in the Harbor with nothing but a paddle and their cardboard ships!

All proceeds from the Cardboard Classic are donated to the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation to support educational boating for at-risk youth and boaters with special needs in our community

Dinghy Dash Teams

Dinghy Dash teams design and build their crafts from corrugated cardboard and duct tape and then compete in age division races.

Teams may consist of up to 5 people of any age or ability but the designated 'racer' for the team must fall into one of the division categories.

All building and design supplies are provided for Dinghy Dash teams.  And each team receives a goody bag with prizes for everyone.  Awards are presented to top racers in each category along with 5 judged awards including The Titanic!

Business Barge Teams

Back by popular demand is the Business Barge division at the Cardboard Classic! 

The Business Barge division is unique in that local businesses and organizations pre-build their boats.  The Barges are on display during the morning of the Classic for the public to view and vote their favorite.  The boats will be raced in the Business Barge Race with a crew of 2 to 4 people.

Winners in all divisions receive plaques, (hand-made by our local Boys & Girls Club kids)!

Additional Info Cardboard Classic "Dinghy Dash" webpage 

Sponsor a Dinghy 

Volunteer as a Dinghy Dash 'Deckhand"

And please contact us to request a Dinghy Dash sponsorship for your youth group, school, or special interest organization:  (949) 492-3035