More than 5,000 spectators gathered on the banks of Roth Pond on May 2 as Stony Brook University students launched their homemade vessels for the 36th annual Roth Regatta. This year's theme, Greek Mythology, inspired a range of cardboard creations.
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). They are judged on design, spirit, endurance, originality, and 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 provided ideal racing conditions. Over 90 boats representing student clubs, organizations, and campus administrative offices took to the water in initial heats followed by semifinal and final rounds. This year’s fleet featured various mythological inspirations from Trojan horses to Ares’ war chariot.
One notable entry was Phoenix Rising, a four-person craft built by members of the Cybersecurity Club. Modeled after a Florida-style swamp boat, it was engineered using rough calculations and AI tools for buoyancy testing.
“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 emphasized teamwork's importance: “Trusting your teammates is very important,” he said.
In the Speedster division, Scuderia Scooteroni won first place for the third consecutive year. “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 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 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 unbreakable spirit of our Seawolves," said Christine Marullo director of Student Engagement and Activities. "This year’s event saw an incredible turnout with students faculty staff coming together in record numbers to cheer on teams revel in excitement."
The regatta featured music giveaways food prizes along with competition on pond live-streamed on YouTube Facebook by School Communication Journalism Stony Brook Media Group.
— Beth Squire