Whatever boats you float

RDA’s rdAGENTS bring ‘Anything That Floats’ to Buffalo Bayou

The third annual Anything That Floats competition will take place June 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with races across Buffalo Bayou and back beginning around 11:30. The public is invited to watch or register to participate in the event, which launches at Sesquicentennial Park near the downtown Theater District.

Mark Smith and Mark Danna paddle their winning entry across Buffalo Bayou in last year's "Anything That Floats" competition. This year's event will be held June 22.

The competition is organized by the rdAGENTS, a network of young professionals associated with the Rice Design Alliance (RDA).

Teams of up to five are charged with building a boat – or something boat-like – that will carry a minimum of two competitors across the bayou and back. They will have to make the crossing, ring a bell on the far side and return to complete the course.

The teams must build their floating contraptions entirely onsite. They are limited to battery-operated and hand tools, one roll of tape, rubber bands, nails, screws, string, cable ties and staples to assemble crafts from the materials provided by organizers.

The event was originally scheduled for May 4, but heavy rain forced a water release from Addicks Dam into Buffalo Bayou and made the current too strong.

Click here for the rules and registration information. Registration is $25 for RDA members and $35 for nonmembers and closes June 19.