It was genuinely an emotional experience.
A vibrant group of paddlers tested their skills on the Hudson River on Thursday, crafting their own cardboard kayaks and competing in races to kick off New York City Water Day.
The team from Manhattan Kayak emerged victorious in the Wet & Wild Weirdness event. Unlike many participants, one of their members managed to stay buoyant in the river’s current, securing multiple wins in a saran-wrapped craft adorned with a striking shark design.
“I feel amazing! I’ve been honing my skills day in and day out for this!” said Thomas Barber, one of the creative minds behind keeping the paper boat afloat.
Barber and his team were among 23 groups competing for the title in the popular race at Pier 84.
Hosted by Manhattan Kayak and Hudson River Park, the festival highlights the city’s waterways and promotes cleanliness.
Each team had a mere two hours to transform a cardboard sheet into a floating vessel using just duct tape, scissors, and markers.
The teams adopted various strategies for their creations; some heavily taped the underbelly of their boats, while others concentrated on sealing the seams.
Groups like the city’s Economic Development Corporation dedicated some of their time to decorating their mini boats with graffiti art.
“We’re just improvising here,” said Elliott Marr, 28, president of the Marine Park Alliance in Brooklyn. “Honestly, we’ve never built a cardboard kayak before. Our main goal is just to create something that floats and stays upright without falling apart.”
Ken from Team Langan Engineering Farm was there for the fun of it: “We’re definitely not professional paddlers!”
The competition followed a bracket-style format, with teams racing against winners from other heats until a champion was crowned.
Some entries sank almost instantly after hitting the water, like the Fingers Crossed made by two teens, joined by City EDC’s Hall Hogan.
Other vessels, including the “Dam it We Float,” “Crustacean Nation,” and the Downtown Boathouse’s dragon-inspired ship, made notable gains throughout the event’s seven rounds.
In the end, I just couldn’t keep up with Manhattan Kayak.
Stephanie Jackenthal, 59, reflected, “When I first saw our cardboard board, I felt a bit overwhelmed, but it’s exhilarating that we all collaborated and won.”
“It was a great day celebrating the waterways of New York City.”
