Raingutter Regatta Trophies: Speed and Design Awards

Short answer

A raingutter regatta, like a pinewood derby, gives two kinds of awards: speed awards, decided by racing boats down a water-filled rain gutter, and design awards, decided by judges or a vote. Most packs give first, second and third for speed in each den or age group and overall, a handful of design awards such as best sail or most creative boat, and a small keepsake for every scout who built a boat. We design the set around your pack name and artwork, cut and printed in acrylic and wood, so the trophies can be shaped like a sailboat, a wave or your own emblem. There is no minimum order, and you approve a design proof first.

First, second and third place awards on wood bases with printed acrylic faces and cut metal numerals

Two contests in one gutter

The fastest boat is the one that sails straight and catches the most breath, which is not always the one that looks best. A good regatta rewards both. Speed awards go to the boats that win heats. Design awards go to the boats that took the most imagination, the most care with the paint, or the boldest sail.

Design awards are what make the evening work for younger scouts. A boat that drifts into the side of the gutter every heat can still win best paint or funniest boat, and a scout who goes home with an award that names what was good about the boat will build another one next year.

If your pack also runs a derby, pinewood derby trophies uses the same structure, and the two sets can share one design with a different shape on top. For the other boating events this hub covers, see boating event awards.

The awards a regatta usually gives

Pack champion

The fastest boat across the whole pack, decided in a final between the den winners. The largest trophy on the table.

Speed by den or age group

First, second and third within each den or age group, in the same design as the pack champion at a smaller size.

Design awards

Judged or voted categories such as best sail, best paint and most creative. Five to eight is typical; a list to copy is below.

Every scout

A medallion or pin for each scout who built a boat, so nobody leaves empty-handed.

Pack perpetual

A plaque that stays with the pack and gains a name plate each year for the regatta champion.

Sibling and parent class

An open class for siblings and adults who build their own boats, scored apart from the scouts.

A design award list to copy

Choose the categories before the regatta and tell families what they are. Scouts build toward a category when they know it exists.

Raingutter regatta design award categories
Award	What it rewards
Best in Show	The boat the judges would most like to take home
Best Sail	The most striking or best-made sail
Best Paint Job	Finish, color and care
Most Creative	An idea nobody else had
Most Realistic	Looks like a real boat or ship
Funniest Boat	Made the judges laugh
Best Pirate Ship	Popular enough at most regattas to earn its own award
Most Seaworthy	Stayed upright and sailed straight every heat

Keep design awards separate from speed awards, so one scout does not take everything. If a boat wins a speed place, many packs let it be judged for design but skip it if another boat is close.

How many trophies to order

Count from the registration list, not from last year. A typical pack order looks like this:

Speed places: number of dens or age groups times three.
Pack champion: one, plus second and third overall if you run a pack final.
Design awards: one per category you choose.
Every scout: one keepsake per registered scout, plus a few spares for late entries.
Perpetual plate: one, if the pack keeps a perpetual.

Participation awards covers how to keep the every-scout piece distinct from the place trophies, and medallion awards shows the medal options.

Wording for regatta trophies

Short and clear works best on small trophies. Put the pack and the year on every piece, and the place or award name on the line below.

Pack Raingutter Regatta
2026
1st Place, Den 3

Pack Raingutter Regatta
2026
Best Sail

If you want to engrave each scout’s name, send the names after the regatta and plan for it in the timing. Many packs present the trophies on the night with a pack and year line only. More ideas are in plaque wording.

What to send us

Your pack name and number, and any artwork you want on the trophies.
The dens or age groups you race, and how many places you award in each.
Your design award categories.
The number of scouts registered.
The date of the regatta.

We send a design proof before anything is produced. For timing, work back from the regatta date and contact us for the current lead time; how far in advance to order explains how to plan it.

Raingutter Regatta Trophies FAQs

What awards does a raingutter regatta give?

Speed awards for the fastest boats by den or age group and overall, design awards chosen by judges or a vote, and usually a keepsake for every scout who built a boat.

How many design awards should a pack give?

Five to eight is typical. Enough that most scouts who did not win on speed have a real chance at something, but not so many that the awards stop meaning anything.

Can the trophies be shaped like a boat?

Yes. Acrylic can be cut to the outline of a sailboat, a wave or your pack emblem and printed in full color.

Can we use the same design as our pinewood derby?

Yes. Many packs keep one design family across both events, with a car on top for the derby and a boat for the regatta.

Should every scout get an award?

Most packs give every scout a small keepsake such as a medallion or a pin, kept clearly separate from the place and design awards.

Is there a minimum order?

No. A small den race and a full pack regatta go through the same process, with a design proof before production.

Racer in a helmet raising both arms as gold confetti falls under stage lights

REGATTA NIGHT COMING UP?

Send your dens and award list

Send your pack name, the dens or age groups, the design categories and how many scouts are registered. We design the set and send a proof before anything is produced.

There is no minimum order. Tell us the date of your regatta when you ask for a quote.

Request a Quote

Raingutter Regatta Trophies