Welcome to the New Paltz Wallkill River Regatta Page.

This event is a homemade boat rally held on the Wallkill River in New Paltz

It is an event that dates back to May 15 1955 when the Delta Kappa Fraternity of SUNY NP held a strange regatta on the river. Preceding the water frolics was a massive Auto Parade in which all of the strange craft to be entered in the race were carried atop the automobiles. The rafts  were all home made rigs concocted of materials ranging from barrels to tractor inner tubes and held together with ropes and wires. Nearly a thousand students and townspeople lined both banks of the river to watch the excitement. The race began at the old swimming hole ( now the southern New Paltz boat launch) about a quarter of a mile upstream from the bridge.

This year the Regatta Committee will expand these festivities with the involvement by all local business to create a Down Town extravaganza.

Musical performance as well as a plethora of great food and drinks.

Children’s activities and much more.

We know that this great tradition will continue with a grand level of ingenuity, creativity and the all so important ingredient of basic good fun.   

We are accepting regatta registrations as of now.  The fee is $10 per water craft up until 4/25.  The registration fee goes up to $20 after that date. 

Applications and checks made out to The Village of New Paltz should be brought in person.

We'd like to encourage early registration. 

ALL those riding on the boats should go down to the village hall to sign a waiver.

They'll need their driver's license and this needs to be done by May 1st.

For participants under the age of 18, his/her parent/legal guardian needs to complete the release form.

Please come into Village Hall at 25 Plattekill Avenue to pick up or drop off release forms. You will need these documents to be Notarized and the Village Clerk (Notary) has graciously offered to assist with the registration process.