Annual milk pack boat regatta in Lielupe river

As a seashore nation, Latvians admit having a very strong naval gene. In that case even untraditional naval means are good enough -- for example, the boats, made of empty milk packs.Annual, this year already the 9th milk pack boat regatta in Jelgava, on the river Lielupe has gathered a record number of participants -- 36 teams took part in the competition and 45 000 empty milk packs were utilized to make boats.There are only some restrictions - shipbuilding masters had to take into consideration that one empty milk pack is able to hold above the river the weight of about 800 g, and the boats made of empty milk packs may be operated only by human power - with the help of oars, paddles and like. The only design rule is: the more attractive -- the better. The boat size and number of rowers are not limited, provided that a construction keeps above water.I hope it will not sink, we will try to verify the opposite that such a ship does not sink, said the participant of the regatta Santis Podans from the boat Titanic.Thus in the river Lielupe there floated not only a green cow and a swimming pool, but even a big bottle and a bedroom.The distance was 50 m long -- to the bridge pier. Despite that the distance was shorter this year, the competition was much harder than before as this time boats had to go against the strong wind. Many participants jumped into water in order to help their boats to reach the finish line faster. Other had some navigation problems.It was twice faster with paddles around feet than with only one oar in hands. Besides we made the longest distance - we crossed the river three times from one bank to another, said the participant Raimonds Aizezers who was swimming along the boat half a distance.But it seemed that not every participant made the effort to win the speed contest. For many the emphasis lied on showing the attractive boats and having fun.We reached the finish And we reached the start as well. Our problem was that we were making show, we were focusing on the show more than on speed, said the participant from the boat Swimming pool, Gints Romulis.Swimming pool was acknowledged the most attractive team. In the speed contest the winner was the boat Small galley.