More than 300 students from Walker Jr High school in La Palma braved the waters of the John F. Kennedy High School pool on Wednesday May 25, as students piloted (and paddled) their boats in the races of the 11th Annual Walker Regatta.
The Regatta features boats built by 8th grade student teams in two categories (one- and two-person boats) that are constructed from recyclable bottles, tape, PVC pipe and plastic wrap.
More than 300 students from Walker Jr High school in La Palma braved the waters of the John F. Kennedy High School pool on Wednesday May 25, as students piloted (and paddled) their boats in the races of the 11th Annual Walker Regatta.
The Regatta features boats built by 8th grade student teams in two categories (one- and two-person boats) that are constructed from recyclable bottles, tape, PVC pipe and plastic wrap.
The safety of the competitors is enhanced by the presence of three swimmers/water safety instructors of the Kennedy Aquatics program (referred to as the “CalTrans of the Sea”)
The event, open to eighth grade students only, is sponsored and organized by the Walker Jr High School Science Department, and made possible by the hundreds of parents and family members of the students.
The parents and family are critical to the success of the event, says Walker Science Teacher Lisa Rivero. “They make this event work by volunteering to sit in the best seats in the house and watch the greatest show in our school year.”
Rivero has them sitting around the perimeter of the pool on folding metal chairs linked by police caution tape, forming a barrier that keeps the kids who aren’t in boats, on the deck and out of the pool. “It’s the only way three teachers can keep 300 kids out of the pool on the last full day of school.”
The races were won by Michael Diaz in the one-person category and Cameren Narey and Kyle Chung in the two’s. Winning teams were rewarded with In&Out Gift Cards.