Fifth Annual Barker Regatta Is Held

Photos by Bruce Crawford The “Mystery Machine” floats on the Ohio River as part of the Fifth Annual Matthew Barker Cardboard Boat Regatta. The four-person team of James Beaver, Lissie Baker, Isabella Beverly, and Hunter Lindsay were winners of the large group category.
There was excitement on the local Ohio River Tuesday, Oct. 9 as the Fifth Annual Matthew Barker Cardboard Boat Regatta was held at New Martinsville’s docks. This year Paden City, Valley, and Magnolia high schools attended the event, which is held in memory of the late Matthew Barker.
Previously, Paden City Art teacher Matthew Kinnard noted that this type of collaboration between schools as well as curriculum is known worldwide as STEAM, a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in five specific disciplines – science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics – in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Previously, students have reviewed early Viking ships, modern kayaks, and Native American influences for inspiration for their boats.
Last year’s winners headed to Georgetown, S.C. to participate in the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show.
This year, the regatta brought a small group and large group of winners, so more students could be involved in the Georgetown event. The small group winners are Cora Anderson and Abbe Stackpole with “Don’t Break The Ice.” The large group winners were the “Mystery Machine” creators with James Beaver, Lissie Baker, Isabella Beverly, and Hunter Lindsay. The other large group winner was “The Canoe” with Jake Amos, Jacob Bolen, Jeff Billiter, and Damien Britton.
Kinnard said due to scheduling conflicts, students and groups would be combined as preparations for the Georgetown trip take place. Meanwhile, Magnolia and Valley students are planning on going to Beaufort, N.C. next spring to participate in a wooden boat festival, since these students have homecoming during Georgetown’s festival.

Photos by Bruce Crawford Cora Anderson and Abbe Stackpole took home the title of “small group” winners in the Fifth Annual Matthew Barker Cardboard Boat Regatta, held Tuesday, Oct. 9.
According to Kinnard, Paden City students created 12 boats with 40 students working on these boats. Magnolia had five boats, and Valley’s students created one boat. Kinnard said this was the first year for Valley to participate in the regatta, “So we were just excited for that, and their boat did stay afloat.”
This year the criteria and requirements were raised with Paden City students, so STEAM, science, technology, engineering, art, and math – as well as speed of construction, creativity, and craftsmanship were all judged, as well as the success in the race.
The students are taught to work in groups, delegate responsibilities, take leadership, and through the studies of boats through history and the application of various science and math rules and principles apply them to the construction of their boats. They are also required to add creativity to the design elements and resolve any problems that arise in construction. The construction of the boats is limited to recycled cardboard, glue, duct tape, and latex paint .
The event had to be relocated from Paden City docks this year to New Martinsville docks due to the river destroying the launch point in Paden City. The hope is to return to Paden City next year.
Several years ago, the late Matt Barker was the first of Kinnard’s students to make a boat and have it float on the Ohio River and take on the challenge of applying the other subjects to his project. For five years now students have held the regatta in memory of Barker who was taken too early in life.
- Photos by Bruce Crawford Cora Anderson and Abbe Stackpole took home the title of “small group” winners in the Fifth Annual Matthew Barker Cardboard Boat Regatta, held Tuesday, Oct. 9.