The Great Whaleboat Races of 2026
Three Towns. Three Whaleboats. One Legendary Story.
Step back to the Revolutionary War and experience history like never before!
As part of the nationwide celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, the Keyport Historical Society is proud to partner with the Matawan Aberdeen Historical Society, the Borough of Keyport, the Borough of Matawan, and Aberdeen Township to present the inaugural Great Whaleboat Races.
Inspired by Capt. William Marriner's daring 1778 whaleboat raid, this exciting community event transforms an extraordinary chapter of local history into a fun-filled day of competition and celebration.
The Challenge
Teams representing Keyport, Matawan, and Aberdeen will race traditional-style whaleboats across Lake Lefferts on a mission worthy of the Revolutionary era. Each crew will row to a floating dock, "capture" its town's mayor, and race back to shore. The first team to safely return and raise its community flag will claim the coveted Golden Oar Trophy and earn year-long bragging rights!
Will Team Keyport bring home the Golden Oar?
More Than a Race
The Great Whaleboat Races are more than a competition—they're a celebration of the people, partnerships, and shared history that connect our Bayshore communities.
Visitors can enjoy:
Revolutionary-themed family activities
Music
Food vendors
Children's activities
Historical interpretation
Community exhibits
Plenty of hometown spirit
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a family looking for a memorable day, or simply ready to cheer for your hometown, there's something for everyone.
The History Behind the Race
The event commemorates the courageous whaleboat operations conducted along the Raritan Bay during the American Revolution. In 1778, Capt. William Marriner led a daring nighttime raid from the Matawan area to capture New York City's Loyalist Mayor, David Mathews. These swift whaleboat expeditions demonstrated the ingenuity, determination, and courage of local patriots who used our waterways to challenge British forces.
The Great Whaleboat Races honor that remarkable legacy while bringing our communities together 250 years later.
Join the Celebration
Bring your family, wear your town colors, and help cheer Team Keyport as we celebrate America's Semiquincentennial in true Bayshore fashion.
Interested in volunteering, sponsoring the event, or supporting Team Keyport? We'd love to hear from you.
Together, we're celebrating our shared Revolutionary heritage—one stroke at a time.