United Way of Southwest Michigan’s ROCK THE BOAT Presented by Honor Credit Union Ready to Host 19 Racers on Thursday, JULY 17
ST. JOSEPH, MI (July 16) – United Way of Southwest Michigan’s ROCK THE BOAT Cardboard Boat Races, Presented by Honor Credit Union, are back at the Inn at Harbor Shores on the St. Joseph River Channel this Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 5pm. The event is free to attend and open to the public with parking available down the street from the Inn at Harbor Shores on the opposite side of the Gast Parkway overpass.
19 boaters will participate in the fun and competitive contest to see which boats make it to the other side of the river channel, with the fastest in each heat continuing to the final race! Creative judge Jackie Huie of Johnson Rauhoff Creative Agency will be judging a “Most Creative” boat winner as well. And, spectators in the event can vote for their favorite teams by texting 2025RTB to 71777 or go to RockTheBoatForUnitedWay.com; the boat with the most dollars raised will win the Captain’s Bounty award, while the boat with the most votes will win the People’s Choice award.
Teams participating this year include:
Team Ausra Kabota - “Ku-boat-a"
Team Holtec - “Restart”
Team Honor Credit Union - "Going Bananas"
Team Herald-Palladium - "The New-Seas"
Team Whirlpool Corp - "Bullet Bill"
Team Lake Michigan College - "Red Hawk Rodeo"
Team Logan - "Kristin Wier Hard to Steer (Nauti by LOGAN)"
Team Dewey, Sinkum & Howe - "Miss Creant"
Team Gast Manufacturing - "Honu"
Team Whirlpool Corp - "Knead for Speed"
Team Maersk & Whirlpool Corporation - "Maersk Minnow Seafarers"
Team IMS - "The Surge Protector"
Team Gast Manufacturing - "Tipsy"
Team Region IV Area Agency On Aging - "gRowing an Age-Friendly Community"
Team Kinexus Group - "KG Community Wave Makers"
Team Curi RMB Capital
Team Gladiator at Whirlpool Corp - "Russell Crowe"
Team Walsworth - "Cletus"
Team Cook Nuclear Plant - "Gone Fission”
All dollars raised by boat registrations, sponsors, and people’s choice votes will stay here in the community to benefit programs and impact partners of United Way of Southwest Michigan, which serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
Spectators will also get to enjoy delectable delights from partner food trucks, including The Brick House, Ben’s Pretzels, Lost Coast Shave Ice, and KT’s Rasoi, as well as drinks from Watermark Brewing served by the Inn at Harbor Shores.
The event will be patrolled on land and in the water by members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the US Coast Guard St. Joseph Station and St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. The Inn at Harbor Shores donates space for the event to take place, and Brian’s Marina loans safety and boating equipment for the race. Whirlpool’s Advanced Development & Innovation Team provided a new addition to the safety process this year by building a boat return ramp utilizing donated parts and supplies courtesy of Big C Lumber and Godfrey Pontoon Boats.
The event is produced by the staff of United Way of Southwest Michigan with presenting support from Honor Credit Union, and major support from Silver Beach Pizza, Gast Manufacturing, Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Whirlpool Corporation, BluCat Consulting, 99.9 Y Country, and JV Studios. Supporting sponsors include the Inn at Harbor Shores, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Lake Michigan College, and Curi RMB Capital, with additional thanks to United Container Company, Competitive Edge, Brian’s Marina, Pepsi, Gravity Productions, Feeding America West Michigan, Big C Lumber, and Godfrey Pontoon Boats.
About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create a united & resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocacy, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org
