Southampton Supervisor Takes Trophy In Cardboard Boat Race

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — All it took was cardboard, duct tape, and a whole lot of enthusiasm for Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman to best Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter in the 9th Annual Cardboard Boat race event Sunday.

Each year during the popular event, Riverhead and Southampton town supervisors face off — and this year, Schneiderman, in his first-ever race, beat Walter by a wide margin.

The boats were made of cardboard, glue and duct tape — and, while Walter’s boat was constructed by the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead, Schneiderman built his own trusty boat.

Walter took an early lead but Schneiderman caught up by the midway turnaround and maintained a commanding lead through the finish line.

Walter was gracious in defeat and vowed to return next year with a boat of his own design and construction.

The Supervisor’s Cup and the boat are now on display in the lobby of Southampton Town Hall.

After the race, Schneiderman said, "It was my first time, and it was a blast. It was so much fun."

Because it was his first effort, Schneiderman said he may have been a wee bit "over-prepared. I didn't know what to expect, so I built the best boat I could, and it withstood the conditions very well — even when Sean tried to trip me." He laughed.

Walter, Schneiderman said, "warned me that if I was getting ahead, he may try to capsize me. He had to lean over in his boat; I think it hurt him more than it hurt me. I just did some defensive maneuvers."

Schneiderman said he was "so far ahead, I literally slowed down because I felt bad for him."

But despite the good-natured ribbing, Schneiderman said, "It's all for fun."

Still joking, he added, "The Supervisor's Cup is proudly displayed in Town Hall. Sean will have to visit me if he wants to see it. I told him, 'We do have security cameras.'"

The popular event was sponsored by Riverhead Town, the Riverhead Business Improvement District, and the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce.

Patch photos by Julie Stone.