Captains and their crews took on a race against time in their cardboard boats at last Saturday’s (November 4) Amazing Cardboard Boat Race.

Five crews and their homemade nautical vessels raced out to a buoy near the Wānaka jetty and tried their best to make it back while still above the water, with a large crowd watching.

The event, organised by Kahu Youth, takes place every year, “just for fun and a good laugh,” Kahu Youth operations director Anna Sutherland said.

She said the annual race - now in its 13th year - is a family favourite.

The annual event is a family favourite.

There were some “innovative, ingenious, hilarious and downright ridiculous” cardboard boats.

Crews tried to make it out to a buoy in Lake Wānaka and back to shore without sinking.

Five awards went to the most impressive boats, from ‘Titanic Sink’ to ‘Most Outrageous’ as well as ‘People’s Choice’, ‘Best Themed’ and ‘Fastest Boat’.

They were awarded to crews Goldie, The Business Races, Mini Man Cruise, The Racing Wasers, and Minions respectively.

Anna thanked the supporters for donating prizes for the winning teams.

Awards were given out for categories including ‘Titanic Sink’, ‘Most Outrageous’, and more.

They included Wānaka River Journeys, Paddle Wānaka, QLDC Sports and Recreation, Black Peak, Paradiso Cinema, and the Wānaka Yacht Club.

PHOTOS: Deanna Gerlach