A few brave souls ventured out into the dark waters of Humboldt Bay on cardboard crafts Sunday during Paddlefest’s Kardboard Kayak Kup race.

“We’re trying to cover it with lots and lots of tape so the water doesn’t get to it,” said Malia Fredman, of Petrolia, about her cardboard craft.

Fredman’s team, the Mattole Mardi Gras Masters, was a first-time cardboard kayak constructor, and decided to go with an oval-shaped design for its vessel.

“I’m counting on my team to make me float,” she said.

Fredman didn’t have the best of luck, as she fell into the water while rounding the inflatable duck marker during the race.

Steve Smith, a member of the Paddlefest committee, said the rules were simple. Each of the five teams that entered constructed a kayak using cardboard, packaging tape and a box cutter.

“Getting a chance to be creative, it’s a classic Humboldt County thing,” Smith said.

Teams had approximately 50 minutes to build before they sent their kayaker out into Humboldt Bay in the rain.

A group of five women decked out in pink, who called themselves the “Humboldt Honeys,” blew past the competition to win.

Their kayaker, Marna Powell, founded the race at Paddlefest three years ago.

“(Women) inherently have a lower center of gravity,” Powell said, explaining one of her team’s advantages. “We know we had technique, not muscle.”

Approximately 80 spectators cheered on the racers during the competition, which didn’t last longer than three minutes.

The Humboldt Bay Rowing Association and Center Activities sponsored two of the five cardboard kayaks.

Paddlefest presented demonstrations, classes and races all day Saturday and Sunday. Besides the Kardboard Kayak Kup, the Quacks for KEET duck race took place also, shortly before the rain began.

Although Fredman was the only kayaker who didn’t make it back to the dock still inside her craft, Fredman was honored with the Most Committed Paddler of All award at the ceremony after the race.