Guidelines for the Junk of the Unc:
- Make your river-craft out of any recycled or repurposed materials. We recommend considering weight, maneuverability, and choosing team members wisely this year, the Unc will likely have low flows on the 27th. Contact Tanya at tanya@uncompahgrewatershed.org if you have questions about the materials you plan to use.
- Be creative and scientific – originality, great design, floatability and resourcefulness are all important factors in performing well in the Junk of the Unc.
- Secure your parts and materials well so we don’t have trash falling off crafts and floating down the Uncompahgre River.
- Bring your river-craft to Rollans Park by 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Race registration is from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a safety talk shortly before the race starts at 3:45 p.m.
- Float on your own or bring some friends. There are no rules about the number of team members for Junk of the Unc. Everyone racing is required to wear a pfd, helmet, and appropriate footwear.
- The race course will be determined the morning of the 27th based on flows. In past years the starting line has been the highway bridge, or somewhere in Rollans Park. Finish lines have been in Rollans Park, and as far down as San Miguel Power above the trestle bridge.
- Get your craft about a quarter of a mile down the river, ahead of the pack or with the most grace or style, and you could win one of our four awards: Best Junk made of Repurposed (non-boat) Materials, Best Junk made of Repurposed Boat/Floating Parts, and one or two more prizes depending on the number of competitors.
- Top Prize: Paco Pad from Jack’s Plastic Welding; top 3-4 winners receive handmade artistic blown glass trophy from Ouray Glassworks.
Three crusty tips for building a junk-er from experienced builder Matt Hepp:
First, the math works. Archemides expertly nailed the scientific law of buoyancy 2,300 years ago and it still applies today. You want just enough float to get down the river. Any extra is hubris and windage.
Second, believe me, Cling Wrap catastrophically loses all cohesion when submersed!
And thirdly, whatever materials you do choose to build a winning vessel, keep them TOP SECRET. Cloak-and-dagger intelligence gathering and even sabotage are the hallmarks of any cutthroat Junc on the Unc race. One can never be too careful.
More sage advice on creating a Junk of the Unc craft, from Clint Estes:
Think outside the boat. Look around the yard and your neighbor’s yard. It’s a junk race, not a boat race. Shin guards highly recommend.
A multi-year winner’s tip from Willy Krois:
Don’t take more than a weekend to put your craft together. Collect the parts and dream up your craft in advance, then get it taped and fastened together in just a day or two of fun!
More information about race entry and registration.
