More than 5,000 spectators gathered on the banks of Roth Pond on May 2 as Stony Brook students launched their homemade vessels for the 36th annual Roth Regatta, a campus tradition since 1989. This year’s theme, Greek Mythology, inspired a pantheon of cardboard creativity.
Organized by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), the event challenges teams to build seaworthy crafts using only cardboard, duct tape, string and paint. Boats compete in two divisions — Speedster (two-person) and Yacht (four-person) — and are judged on design, spirit, endurance and originality, as well as their ability to stay afloat for the 200-yard sprint across Roth Pond.
“The Roth Pond Regatta is a huge celebration for all students,” said Brandon Ma, a senior majoring in technological systems management and USG AV director. “We’re all just here to get together as students to become a family and celebrate the end of the semester.”
Sunny skies and near 80-degree temperatures made for ideal racing conditions. Over 90 boats representing student clubs, organizations, and campus administrative offices took to the water in the initial heats, followed by semifinal and final rounds. This year’s fleet featured a wide range of mythological inspirations, from Trojan horses and Phoenixes to Ares’ war chariot.
One of the mythic designs was Phoenix Rising, a two-person craft built by members of the Cybersecurity Club. Modeled after a Florida-style swamp boat, the vessel was engineered using rough calculations and AutoCAD tools to test buoyancy.
“Our president really likes phoenixes,” said Kevin Wang, a senior electrical engineering major. “From last year’s competition, we learned not to build it six hours beforehand.”
Senior computer science major Steven Nyman, also a member of the team, emphasized the importance of collaboration. “Trusting your teammates is very important,” he said.
In the Speedster division, Scuderia Scooteroni took first place for the third consecutive year, securing a rare “three-peat.”
“We are so very excited — very happy to be continuing the legacy,” said the team, who advised future participants to “contact warehouses for cardboard — they’ve got piles and piles of wasted cardboard.”
In the Yacht division, The Spirit of Stony Brook edged out last year’s champions, the Veteran Students Organization (VESO). “We’re so excited, and we’re going to do it again next year,” said the team. “The second race was tough — we used a lot of energy in the first — but we kept our rowing in sync and had a technique going.”
The annual tradition, which takes place on the last Friday of April, won the National Association for Campus Activities’ (NACA) Your Best Campus Tradition contest for schools over 5,000 in 2017.
“The Roth Regatta is more than just a race, it’s a testament to creativity, perseverance, and the unbreakable spirit of our Seawolves. Year after year, students come together to build, paddle, and celebrate, making it one of the most beloved traditions on campus,” said Christine Marullo, director of Student Engagement and Activities. “This year’s event saw an incredible turnout, with students, faculty, and staff coming together in record numbers to cheer on the teams and revel in the excitement.”
The Regatta featured music, giveaways, food and prizes along with the competition on the pond, and was live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook by the School of Communication and Journalism and the Stony Brook Media Group.
— Beth Squire
Wonderful event, pictures, video and article!!!