RSOP Hosts Extreme Cardboard Sledding

A group of four smiles seconds before crashing. Photo by Macie Groth

On Saturday, Jan. 31, UMD students gathered at Rock Hill in the Bagley Nature Area to participate in extreme cardboard sledding. The event, hosted by UMD’s Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP), required teams to get creative and craft a sled made only from cardboard and tape.

Participants and spectators gather, celebrate and relax after the competition. Photo by Macie Groth

Contestants arrived at the hill with sleds of many shapes and sizes decorated with fun designs — some with costumes to match. Their goal of the afternoon was to make it past the finish line as fast as they could and attempt to stay on their sled. Readying themselves with helmets and snow pants, contestants took to the slope. The steep hill was a test of strength for the handcrafted sleds, but the racers carried on. Some even took to running or rolling the rest of the way down as their sleds sped off course.

A participant blows up a cloud of snow on his way down the hillside. Photo by Macie Groth

The team sponsored by Cub managed the fastest time, making it down the hill in 11.18 seconds. The titles of Best Costume and Best Sled Design were awarded to the SS Starbucks team. The race was concluded with celebratory hot chocolate and hot dogs over a warm fire.