The annual cardboard boat races returned to the Peconic Riverfront today after a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A large crowd lined the downtown Riverhead dock to cheer the paddlers, who raced in homemade boats made only with cardboard, duct tape and paint.
Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman took home the Supervisor’s Cup in the event’s kickoff race between the supervisors of the two towns bordering the Peconic River. Schneiderman out-paddled Riverhead Councilman Ken Rothwell, captain of the “SS Aguiar,” beating the Riverhead boat to the finish line by 17 seconds, 2:13 to 2:30. Rothwell stood in for Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, who is recovering from a broken ankle. In 2019, Schneiderman and then-Supervisor Laura Jens Smith finished in a tie.
Youth Regatta
First place: Mario Cartboard (1:46). Peter Walsh, Gavin Walsh, Jacob Walsh, Garrett Learn, Cameron Galeotafiore
Second place: Row Coal (2:07). AJ Yarusso, Braeden Messina, Grady Moore, Owen Duffy
Third place: Creative Cruiser (2:56).
Yacht Regatta
First place: The Dragon (1:12). Parker Roppelt, Cameron Giordano, Macklin Jordan
Second place: Shaguar (1:13) Mark Sisson, Candy Paparo, Chris Paparo, Nora Catlin
Third place: Foxwood Seniors (1:19) Larry Galasso
Outlaw Race
First place: The Dragon (1:18) Parker Roppelt, Cameron Giordano, Macklin Jordan
Second place: 2 Much Tape 1:28. Peter Walsh, Craig Learn, Brooks Galeotafiore. Grayson Learn
Third place: Shaguar (1:52) Mark Sisson, Candy Paparo, Chris Paparo, Nora Catlin
People’s Choice Award
Foxwood Seniors: Larry Galasso & Friends
Commander’s Choice Award
Mario Cartboard: Peter Walsh, Gavin Walsh, Jacob Walsh, Garrett Learn, Cameron Galeotafiore
Best Captain Award
St. Agnes International: Father Piotr Narkiewicz & Children
Spirit Award
Atlantis Marine World: Kevin Daral
Most Creative Award
Let It Bee: Ginger Anderson & Billy Riley
Titanic Award
Ship Happens:Julia Fink
The popular annual event is sponsored by the Riverhead Business Improvement District and the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Diane Tucci
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Correction: The Titanic Award went to “The Titanic,” not the Atlantis Marine World boat as first reported. The Atlantis boat took the Spirit Award.
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