Tube Time

The Cardboard Tube Fighting League now has chapters in Seattle, San Francisco, and Sydney; given that founder Robert Easley, is from Santa Cruz, it seems that official cardboard tube fights may be held only in cities beginning with the letter S. Other than that, the rules are simple: No stabbing, no striking the face, no shields, no employing materials other than cardboard for defense. While duels lasting longer than a minute are informally frowned upon, no duel ends until one tube breaks, so expect some bruises for your effort at the Cardboard Tube Fighting League Battle and Children’s Tournament. With that in mind, there were some elaborate get-ups on display during last October’s premiere bout — everything from robot bodies to Greek chest-plates to sushi rice padding — but you don’t need cardboard armor, or anything more than a child’s inclination to cause havoc with packing materials, to compete. In fact, children over the age of five are encouraged to put their elders to shame for turning their backs upon the God-given instinct to envision the rise and fall of worlds in a pile of recycling. As the league claims the great Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi once said, "When half an oar is not readily available, a cardboard tube is your next best bet." Certified league tubes will be supplied. In the event of rain, all weapons will turn to mulch.
Sun., July 6, 4 p.m., 2008