Cardboard Boat Regatta

On June 19th, the family headed down to the Village Marina in Watkins Glen for the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Jake, and his friends Kevin and Glen (also his co-workers at Chesapeake) were competing in the regatta. I had my doubts from the beginning as to the sea-worthiness of their vessel, but it promised to be a lot of fun either way. Below is the footage of their start, which Jake claims as proof that they were sabotaged by the girl at the start. While I don't dispute that she gave them a push that started the sinking, I don't think she caused anything that wasn't going to happen anyway. :) Basically, they sank right away. Being determined men that they were, they re-started, but took off before Kevin could get back in the boat only to sink for real again. (Jake was in the front and a little excited, he just started rowing without looking back) After the second sinking, they proceeded to swim themselves and their half-sunken boat the 250 yards to the finish line. Kevin jumped in after the first turn to make the swim in the cold lake!

They wound up winning their heat, only because the other boat they were racing sunk and never re-surfaced. They got passed by at least 3 of the heats that started after them. They also won a lovely trophy, the "Goody's Headache" award, given each year to the fastest sinking!

So proud, guys.

"Think it'll float?" "Not a chance!"

The guys were a big hit at the regatta, and it was a lot of fun to listen to the comments of the onlookers. My favorite was "Look at that one... and it hasn't even been in the water yet!" The guys had a good time playing cornhole, and Andria, Aubree, Cole and I had a nice time wandering around, shopping for a father's day present, and trying to avoid the heat. It was about 90, and very muggy. It even thunderstormed a bit after the guys got done with their race.

For me, however, the highlight of the event was the stall selling deep-fried Oreos and my new favorite, deep-fried Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! MMMmmmm.


Cole's already plotting his triumphant win for next year: