Port Jervis celebrates inaugural Delaware River cardboard boat regatta

By Sharon E. Siegel

PORT JERVIS, NY – Port Jervis Tourism Board’s inaugural Delaware River Cardboard Boat Regatta and Beach Party was a big hit for all who spent part of Saturday afternoon, August 23, at West End Beach. 

Nine boats of creative design and varying sturdiness took to the water; all hoping to stay afloat and make it intact from start to finish. Four actually did complete the course, out to a first buoy, around this and a second, and ending where Port Jervis Dive Team boats were stationed near the third and finish line. The other five competitors made it into the water, and to varying distances from shore.  While some boats eventually sank, all said they had a great time and gained strategies next year!

Four awards were presented by the Tourism Board.

The quickest, “The Cardboard Cruiser”, finished in 3 minutes and 54 seconds, and was presented with the Fastest Time Award.

“Witch Please” completed the course with four rowers, bubbles emitting from a bubble machine, and synchronized teamwork paddling, earning them the Most Team Spirit Award.

The Most Creative Award was presented to Tourism Board Chairperson Laura Meyer, who rowed “The Old Brook Trout fishing boat”.  Meyer created and labeled the boat in memory of Bill Schill, a member of the Tourism Board who passed away just last month.

The Best Sinker Award was presented to Tammy Predmore with her bright yellow “Sponge Bob Square Pants” craft.  Predmore, still smiling even after sinking, slightly injured her leg and had an unanticipated lift back to shore in Port Jervis Fire Department’s Water Operations boat. Once on shore, she and her family stayed to enjoy the Beach Party and post-race festivities.

Other cardboard boats participating were: USS Sinker, SS Disaster, Dooms Day, SS Eeyore, and This Chapter.

Laura Meyer said she had the idea to bring a cardboard boat race to Port Jervis about 14-years ago when she saw an article about another community’s event in a magazine.  Fellow Tourism Board Nikki Jones, while also never having attended such an event before, liked the idea for Port Jervis and was confident she and Meyers could research rules, components, and specifics and  carry this out with their board. Both also entered boats in the race.   

The two, and other Tourism Board members who were on hand for the event, plan to make this an annual event, with some ideas already in the works for improving and adding to next year’s.

Besides the race participants, the beautiful summer day and fun of this event brought dozens to the beach to enjoy the race from lawn chairs, along with music, and refreshments from food vendor trucks stationed around the beach for the afternoon.