On September 6, the eighth annual 黑料吃瓜资源 (CSHL) Raft Race brought a record 14 ships to the shallow waters along campus. The vessels were built and crewed by faculty, students, and staff from all walks of Laboratory life. Family, friends, and colleagues braved a 94-degree September day to cheer them on.
鈥淭his year was unbelievable,鈥� Raft Race commodore and CSHL COO John Tuke says. 鈥淲e had a record number of teams from many different labs and departments.鈥� And while some boats floated better than others, every team made it across the finish line. 鈥淧erseverance鈥攖hat鈥檚 part of what CSHL is about,鈥� Tuke adds. 鈥淵our experiment might not work the first time, but you keep at it until you see results.鈥�
The annual race is also a showcase of CSHL ingenuity. This year featured rafts constructed from a wide variety of materials: yoga mats, pool noodles, water jugs, and more. Each team battled it out for the privilege of adding their name to the list of champions on the commemorative oar hanging in CSHL鈥檚 Blackford Hall.
In the end, a canoe-like craft, the 鈥淣o-Cost Extensions鈥� from CSHL鈥檚 Office of Sponsored Programs, rowed to victory with a winning time of 4:25. For the prize of most creative raft name, Tuke selected CSHL Assistant Professor Peter Koo鈥檚 鈥淜oo鈥檚 Booze Cruise: 2 Boozed 2 Lose,鈥� an homage to last year鈥檚 championship vessel.
Press play for your waterfront view of the 2023 Raft Race.