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A boat manned by Southside High School entrants collapses before the final turn.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta: Lots of duct tape, lots of fun

WATKINS GLEN, June 19 -- Spectators galore, nearly 90 cardboard boats, sunny skies, plenty of food, and an air of goodwill marked the 18th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Seneca Harbor marina Saturday.

The Regatta was the highlight of Day 2 of the Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival. Day 1 -- held Friday evening in Seneca Harbor Park -- was marked by live musical performances at four venues, food, games, and a Lighting of the Harbor. (See Features.)

Whereas rain proved a problem the past two years for the Regatta, Saturday was free of any storms or even showers. Crowds lined the walkway and lawn the full length of the park, and stretched out along the pier railing and on the breakwall. While the attendance seemed slightly lower than in past years, it was deemed a hit by organizers. "It's a great day," noted one.

As always, the crowd cheered on the boat participants, who launched near the Village Marina restaurant two at a time. That made for about 43 heats. The crowd also enjoyed, as always, those times when a craft capsized. However, almost all of the boats -- made of cardboard, lots of duct tape and paint -- made it through the course successfully, if in some cases very slowly.

Awards went to the following:

Fastest Elapsed Time Single Hull Multi Crew – Father’s Flock

Fastest Elapsed Time Multi Hull Multi Crew – Geneva Express

Fastest Elapsed Time Kids Crew – Shappell Boys

Fastest Elapsed Time Teen Crew – Duck Tape & A Dream

Best Construction – Team I-69

Best Lookin’ Boat – Lonely Island

Titanic Sinking – The Titanic

Best Boat Name – Bad “Row-Mance’

Best Theme – Happy Feet

Judge’s Choice – The General Sea

Goody’s Headache Award – Squatch

Schuyler County Chairman’s Cup – The General Sea

People Choice – Happy Feet

Photos in text:

Top: One of the young rowers in The Wave Buster entry was having fun as the craft rounded the final turn.

Middle: Eight-year-old Luke Morris built the USA Surfer and piloted it around the course successfully.

Bottom: Friends MacKenzie Myers, right, and Allison Penizotto were on hand to cheer on the Jerlando's entry.

Watkins Glen Village Trustee Kevin Smith was controlling the flow of foot traffic onto one of the private marina docks.

The breakwall was a popular spot from which to watch the Regatta.

Shelby Macool of Hornell piloted her cardboard canoe to a fast time.

The Seneca Lodge's Harry Potter entry made good time in the first heat of the day.

Left: "Lady Gaga" was on hand to ride in the Bad Row-Mance. Right: The Deadliest Catch featured (standing) the kicker for the Southern Tier Warriors, Jason Paultsczak.

The Wolf Pack crew: Dan Stephens (left), Stephanie Collins and Kyle Stephens. Their boat was in one of the day's later heats.

The Jerlando's craft made it through the course quickly. A guest on board: Joe Fazzary (pointing, center), candidate for Schuyler County Judge.

Among the entries was one from the Montour Coffee House and Wine Bar.

The SS Wolverine crew celebrates as it passes the finish line.

The Erika 1 won its heat, the eighth of the day.

Spectators staked out spots near the entrance to the pier.