There are as many different and unusual college traditions as there are colleges, and the Roth Pond Regatta at SUNY Stony Brook is a prime example! This hilarious annual event reminds us of an Industrial Technology class project spin-off – you know, those paper and duct tape creations built to keep an egg from breaking when dropped from various heights? Except, for this one, substitute the free fall with water, paper with cardboard, and an egg with people!
Josef "Jeff" Sipek
SUNY Stony Brook students, faculty, and staff get involved and all MacGyver-like, using duct tape, cardboard, and paint to create (hopefully) water friendly crafts to race across Stony Brook’s Roth Pond.
Sure, there’s the basic kayak lookalikes, but some SUNY Stony Brook students go all out – we’re talking animals: the Trojan Horse, ducks, sharks, and all sorts of variations on the basic boat design: floating forts, canoes, and ancient sailing craft. As different as they may appear, they do share one common goal – make it across the finish line, without completely sinking or falling apart, first!
The Roth Pond Regatta has two subgroups, Speedsters: a one person boat, and Yachts: two to four person boat crews. The Roth Yachting Club chooses an admiral, vice-admiral, and so on, to judge the event. Students can participate solo (yachts), in groups of two to four (speedsters), and even win trophies for those subgroups as well as “Best in Show.” Each year, since 1989, participants and bystanders have gathered together at Roth Pond the last Friday in April to cheer on their faves. Check out the video for great SUNY Stony Brook Roth Pond Regatta highlights from 2009!
