Plunger Canoe Racing

In September 2023, Pack 152 in Oakley (Diablo Sunrise District) introduced us to Plunger Canoe racing. Fast forward to early this year. Meridian District took up the challenge and built a four canoe fleet. Each canoe is eight foot long and can accommodate a crew of four Cubs using plungers as paddles. The canoe has four 360 degree casters making them very maneuverable which may not be what you want if your goal is to move in a straight line. Spoiler alert – Teamwork is the magic sauce!

In mid January, we had a test run and identified the need for some minor engineering changes along with the inclusion of Den Chiefs whose primary role was to give each canoe a gentle push to get the canoe moving. That was followed later in the month with a very successful event hosted by Pack 1776.

To quote one of the event organizers . . .
“The plunger races were hands-down my favorite activity we’ve done all year. Watching Cubs, older Scouts, and families laughing together and cheering each other on was pure joy, and exactly the kind of simple, shared fun our pack needed.”