Spectators pull for teams in Great Freeport Canoe Race at Cow Meadow Park

Dozens of canoe paddlers competed Sunday under a sunny summer sky on the waters off Freeport for fun and charity.

More than 100 spectators watched the Great Freeport Canoe Race at the waterfront Cow Meadow Park. Roughly 50 canoeists took part in the festivities that included at least five heats. Winners received medals signifying their sportsmanship and triumph.

“It’s been growing every year,” Village of Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy, who took part in one of the heats, said of the race. “It’s a really safe event.”

Started more than four decades ago, the annual race is sponsored by the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Freeport Police Athletic League, village officials said. After expenses, proceeds from the race will go toward the athletic league. 

On Sunday, children and adults — wearing life vests — put their paddles in the water and took off. The paddlers — two to a canoe — worked together to get to the finish line, even if that meant dealing with a collision with another canoe.

Island Park resident Mary Zarba said the race was fierce competition — “a little bit like bumper cars but on canoes.” Still, Zarba added that everyone was safe and happy.

“Everyone’s a winner today,” she said.

NewsdayTV’s Andrew Ehinger contributed to this story.

By Tiffany Cusaac-Smith

tiffany.cusaac-smith@newsday.com@T_Cusaac

Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday. She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University.