Prized Rubber Duck Trophy goes to Ocean 98’s top tub as duo finishes undefeated

By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer

Jake and Lindsay Owens cross the finish line in one of the earlier races of the evening. The duo went on to run the table, finishing undefeated and with the Rubber Duck Trophy in their grasp. JACK CHAVEZ / BAYSIDE GAZETTE

(June 16, 2022) The 32nd annual and first-televised Berlin Bathtub Races did not disappoint on Friday.

As usual, hundreds of spectators filled the Main Street corridor between Commerce Street and Stevenson Lane as a dozen-plus teams donned greased-up DIY vessels for a chance to secure the prestigious Rubber Duck Trophy.

In the end, Ocean 98’s Lindsay and Jake Owens prevailed over defending champs Camp Coast and the fearsome duo of Ally Hernandez and Derek Jarmon.

Gussie Sholtis and Kyle Hill of Sheppard Realty took home third-place honors.

“Exhausted, absolutely exhausted,” said Jake Owens between deep gulps of air, seconds after crossing the finish line. “(I was thinking) one more race, just one more. That’s all I needed. I didn’t want to do two, couldn’t make it through two.”

The Ocean 98 team went wire-to-wire on the evening, not dropping a single race. Had Ocean 98 lost the race to Camp Coast, who had already lost once, the teams would have had to face off a second time to decide the champion in the double-elimination event.

Worcester County Parks and Recreation Camp Coast: Derek Jarmon and Ally Hernandez, runners up. JACK CHAVEZ / BAYSIDE GAZETTE

All around, the event was a complete success. For the first time, the races were on television throughout the Delmarva region, brought to viewers by WBOC’s Delmarva Sports Network.

Burley Oak: Brian Brushmiller and Dustin Horne. JACK CHAVEZ/BAYSIDE GAZETTE

“It was a spectacular turnout,” said Ryan Nellans, executive administrator for the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. “(The TV cameras) had a blast. My wife and I as we laid down to go to sleep, brought up the live broadcast that was still available. We were cracking up. Great job. They were hilarious and engaging — couldn’t ask for more.”

Nellans said profits were booming as well, as all but maybe a dozen T-shirts did not get sold during the event.

“Which is crazy because that means 11 dozen shirts were sold,” he said.

And the 50-50 raffle, which paid out $1,500 to one lucky winner, will need to be bigger next year. There were 600 ducks in it this year and it still wasn’t enough, he said.

Island Creamery: Jennifer Sorrell and Jill Gray JACK CHAVEZ/BAYSIDE GAZETTE

In total, 13 teams competed. The teams included Ocean 98, Camp Coast, Seaside Plumbing, Sheppard Realty, Buzz Meadery, Broad Street Station, the BeardedMen Society, Deeley Insurance, Mayor Zack Tyndall and Town Councilman Jack Orris, Island Creamery, Burley Oak Brewing Company, The Globe and Baked Dessert Cafe.

Buzzed Meadery: Brett and Megan Hines; Seaside Plumbing: Dylan Burns and Lauren Martin. JACK CHAVEZ/BAYSIDE GAZETTE

This story appears in the print version of the Bayside Gazette on June 16, 2022.