Racing Through Riverside, By (Paddle) Boat

Residents of the Riverside neighborhood spent some of their time last weekend on the water. It was perfect weather for it — hazy, hot, humid, and miserable unless you had a pool or nearby air-conditioning.

In this case, the Newtown residents corralled their efforts and hosted their own Third Annual Paddleboat Regatta. Eleven teams entered the event, which included a number of families hosting dock stations and/or decorating their paddleboats for races on Sunday, July 6.

Eight families presented dock stations — theme-decorated areas on and around their docks where the paddleboaters had to get out of their boats and perform activities.

Prizes were eventually awarded for fastest boat to complete the race, best decorated boat, and best dockside activity. Maureen Ottinger and Kat Auborn were the winners for Fastest Boat and Best Decorated Boat, while Elie Mouchantat and Samantha Paddock went home with the honors for Best Decorated Dock.

The families and friends finished their day at Lake Zoar’s sandbar, where they celebrated with an awards ceremony and enjoyed a picnic.