Thrilling and Dangerous Splish-Splash Spectacular: The 2024 Kinetic Sculpture Race Hits Humboldt Bay Hard!
The annual Kinetic Sculpture Race 2024 event, famous for its whimsical, wacky, and wonderfully engineered human-powered machines, once again turned the waters of Humboldt Bay into a carnival of color, ingenuity, and, at times, sheer lunacy.
Each kinetic sculpture faced the ultimate test of resilience: entering the bay. The anticipation was palpable as spectators lined the shore, cameras and smartphones ready to capture every dramatic moment of this watery trial.
First up, Polka Dot Party braved the water and did not disappoint with it’s splash! But there were others who had difficulties!
The Ghoulhunters flipped not once, not twice, but multiple times in their valiant attempts to enter the bay.
Plaid Maxxx faced its own set of challenges–a broken arm on their intricate mechanism.
As the day progressed, each team brought their unique flair to the water drop. Some sculptures glided gracefully into the bay, met with cheers and applause, while others took a more tumultuous route, prompting gasps, laughter, and admiration from the crowd. The splashes were spectacular, the resilience of the participants inspiring, and the creativity on display nearly unparalleled.
This year’s waterdrop once again proved that at the Kinetic Sculpture Race is a wild test of fun, humor, and creativity. Whether the creations flipped, flopped, or flawlessly entered the bay, each team showcased the heart and soul of this beloved event. And they still are striving for the finish line today!
Below are some of our favorite shots of the event by our very own Mark McKenna.
-
- Tempus Fugitives: Polka Dot Party made the first glorious splash of the day on Humboldt Bay.
-
- Bayou Bovines milked their entry for all the glory they could.
-
- It was soul crushing when Ghoulhunters flipped multiple times attempting to enter the bay.
-
- Our hearts are with you, Ghoulhunters!
-
- Unknown
-
- Bounce for Glory blasted into to e bay.
-
- What a splash! Huzzah, Bounce for Glory!
-
- The splash made by Chain Lynx.
-
- Speed Goat made a spectacular splash as they sped into the bay.
-
- Speed Goat Feels the glory!
-
- Grateful Squid almost did a nose dive as they entered the bay.
-
- HumBULLdt Pie Factory charged into the bay on Saturday.
-
- HumBULLdt Pie Factory looking sweet!
-
- Plaid Maxxx suffered a broken arm as they entered the thunderdome of Humboldt Bay.
-
- Just seconds after a pilot on Swing Kids team said I can’t believe we’re still floating, they weren’t.
-
- Rat Rod Overhauled made an awesome splash.
-
- Earth Wind and Shire looked like they were going to need second breakfast after their entry into the bay.
-
- Beaver Fever was eager to splash into the bay.
-
- Shifts and Giggles was laughing all the way to the bank after their smooth entry.
-
- Knot Shore seemed pretty confident as they sailed smoothly into the bay.
-
- This is Art? answered the question, will it float.
-
- Hobart Here’s the Whos sailed pretty quietly past the end of the pier. [2024 Photo by Mark McKenna]
-
- Spark made such a good splash. Yes he did, such a good splash.
-
- Unidentified 2
-
- DiscoTronic had a smooth entry but needed to right their sculpture before paddling away.
-
- Is this a real photo, or was it generated by Apple Inteligence ?
-
- Bounce for Glory blasted into to e bay.
-
- There were clear skies for Cloudy With a Chance of Clowns’ water entry.
-
- Plan Bee’s plan A seemed to work just fine as they hit the bay.
-
- Chick Magnet didn’t need animal magnetism to chart their course.
-
- Snowballl in Hell melted the crowd’s heart with their smooth entry into the bay.
-
- HumBULLdt Pie Factory floating on the bay.
-
- Rat Rod Overhauled.
-
- It was nothin’ but wet for the Kinetic Dream Team.
-
- Earth Wind and Shire
-
- Unidentified
-
- Pee Wee Hermit Crab’s Big Adventure gloriously came out of their shell for the water crossing.
-
- Shifts and Giggles
-
- Knot Shore
-
- This is Art?
-
- Hobart Here’s the Whos
-
- Chasing Rainbows [Photo of 2024 Kinetic Race by Mark McKenna]
-
- Pedal Power
-
- DiscoTronic
-
- Huzzah!
-
- Poof! The Humboldt Dragon had a smooth entry.
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Thank you for the great pictures and video of the big splash! 🙂
Thank you.
That was awesome, thanks!
BTW, Unknown was The Green Dragon Inn (part of Earth, Wind, and Shire). Unknown 2 was Trixie’s Cereal Contender.
Unidentified was Goth Ham.
And “Peto Power?” was Petal Power. HTH.
Thank you for all the great photos! Well done!
AI=Artificial Intelligence
In Kinetic AI= Apple Intelligence. It is the name of the team in the photo.
In the Kinetic Universe AI= Apple Intelligence. It is the name of the sculpture in the photo, so it was accurate.