Town Supervisors Face Off In Heated Cardboard Boat Race

RIVERHEAD, NY — New Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith bested reigning champ Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman during an annual face off at the Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race event Sunday on the Peconic River.

"It's a friendly competition between the two towns that normally work together on many issues," said Schneiderman in the days leading up to the race. "We have lots of laughs and it's a great race. I wish her luck."

Jens-Smith said she got off to a "grueling" start. "It was a little tense going in, I was a little nervous. But I came out victorious and I'm very happy to come home with a trophy. I can't wait till next year, Jay."

Schneiderman said it was a great day on the water. "I was a little worried about the supervisor. When she first got into the boat, the back started to go under the water and I thought we we were going to lose her." He laughed.

"So did I!" she added.

"It wasn't a good start, but then she repositioned herself. She got comfortable," Schneiderman said.

He added that he took the inside going around the buoy and Jens-Smith, who took an early lead, seemed to be heading toward the Southampton side of the Peconic. "I tried to keep the race competitive," Schneiderman said. "But then Laura came on strong and I saw her pulling ahead. I worked hard to try and catch up but she stayed ahead of me and got to the finish line."

Schneiderman said his boat, which he made himself, is created out of multiple layers of cardboard with a lot of duct tape, all around. It's also his winning boat from last year. "It's a heavy, solid boat. I didn't take in any water," he said, adding that he also has a seat made of cardboard. "It's very comfortable," he said.

Jens-Smith said volunteers from Brookhaven National Lab helped to make the boat. "They did an excellent job," she said, adding that Schneiderman, in a show of chivalry, came before the race to survey her vessel and give her a few pointers. "We'll do a little more sprucing up and be ready for next year," she said.

Schneiderman said the "beautiful" trophy has been in Southampton for a few years — he bested former Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter last year; in prior years, Walter competed against former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst — but is now "returning to the great town of Riverhead.

"As the Southampton Town Supervisor, I'm pleased to hand it off but hopefully next year we'll get it back in Southampton." He added he needed some of the Southampton crowd on the other side of the Peconic next year to cheer him on. "Congratulations, Laura, great job," he said.

Jens-Smith said she looks forward to next year. Until then, she will display the trophy in Riverhead Town Hall and invited residents to come in and see it. Of the cardboard boat race event, she said, "It's really a fun day down here in Riverhead."

Patch photos by Lisa Finn