How a Whaleboat Team Named 'Poopee' Became a Harborfest Legend in Sag Harbor

One of the most recognizable sights for years at Harborfest has been the eye-catching — some might say eye-popping — logo and catchphrase of one whaleboat race team in particular:

“There goes Poopee.”

The story of the men’s and women’s whaleboat race teams sponsored by John K. Ott Cesspool Services is about much more than the enduring appeal of a little potty humor.

In many ways, the teams perfectly encapsulate what Sag Harbor is all about: the unique charm of growing up in a small town, where friendships and family ties span generations and remain strong through different stages of life.

Over the years, several individuals have rowed for the John K. Ott teams, but a core group has been at it the longest. On the women’s side, that includes Robyn Mott, Karin Federico, Shawn Mitchell and Shelley Cottrell — whose parents, Lucille and Eugene Garypie Sr., own John K. Ott Cesspool Services and sponsor the teams.

On the men’s side, Dave Schroeder (a John K. Ott employee), Mike Daniels, Eugene Garypie Jr. (known as “Gap” to friends), and Shelley’s husband, John Cottrell, have returned year after year.

Nearly all of them, and many past rowers, are Pierson High School graduates who grew up together. Most are now in their 40s, raising families of their own, and still live in Sag Harbor. Many began competing in the whaleboat races as teenagers and also played together on Pierson’s soccer, basketball and baseball teams.

That lifelong familiarity seems to be part of the teams’ ongoing success in what is considered the premier event of Harborfest. Both the John K. Ott men’s and women’s teams are current two-time champions and will be chasing a three-peat this year.

Team members spoke about their legacy, and why — even with the demands of work and family — they continue to make time for the tradition of rowing together every Harborfest.

“One of the reasons locals love Harborfest is that it feels like a weekend when we reclaim our village,” Karin Schroeder said. “The crowds have dwindled, and we can walk around and run into people we actually know. We share a hug, a laugh and a beer.”

She said their connection was forged early — before they even realized it.

“We’ve all been tethered together since well before we realized it had happened,” she said. “Our parents were friends before we were friends. Our teams of four may have changed throughout the years, but we’ve always been there as the John K. Ott crew. We’re at the point now where our kids can enter their own team in the adult races.”

The word “legacy” feels a little lofty to Mitchell, who joined the team about 20 years ago when they “just needed a body.”

“It’s funny to think there’s a legacy,” she said with a laugh. “Like, oh my gosh, have we really been doing this that long? Aren’t we too old for this? Is there an old-lady division?”

Joking aside, she said it’s been rewarding to see how committed everyone has remained to keeping the tradition alive.

“Our lives have evolved and ebbed and flowed — with pregnancies and children, infants and toddlers waiting at the dock — but we’ve always made a point of going. Our kids have grown to love it and look forward to it.”

In recent years, Mitchell and Mott — whose older brother Eric Bramoff rowed for the men’s team — have served as rowers for the women’s team, with Karin Schroeder as the tiller, steering the boat. Shelley Cottrell sits at the bow, offering encouragement and guidance as a sort of captain. She also has the important job of throwing the “harpoon” at the large white whale that floats in the harbor — a requirement for all teams before they can turn and head back to shore.

“I do feel like those jobs align with our personalities,” Mitchell said. “Shelley is all about, let’s cut to the chase — this is what we need to do, there’s the target, hit it. Karin is a thinker and she’s competitive, smart and strategic. And Robyn and I are just go-big-or-go-home people. We don’t even look up — we just keep rowing.”

Many teams practice before the races, but Mitchell said there’s only so much preparation you can do. On race day, anything can happen once the cannon goes off. Still, the team’s years of shared experience, coupled with growing up together, creates a kind of “X factor.”

That holds true for the men’s team as well.

When talking about the races, Mike Daniels and Dave Schroeder can’t help but finish each other’s sentences. Their decades-long friendship is apparent in every shared memory and inside joke.

They proudly admit that many of the race rule changes over the years were a direct result of their team’s actions.

“Every rule that has been changed is due to our — I’m going to say — chaos, and the way we’re like, whatever, we’re going to do it this way,” Schroeder said, with Daniels laughing beside him. “We’ve been disqualified maybe three or four times. But whatever — it’s fun.”

“I think [former Sag Harbor Express Publisher Bryan Boyhan, who ran the races before handing the reins to current Publisher Gavin Menu] hated us for a while,” Daniels added with a grin. “But then he grew to like us.”

One year, when Bramoff joined their boat, they decided everyone would row — ignoring the traditional two-rower arrangement.

“We blew everyone away that year,” Schroeder said. “It wasn’t even close.”

Now, the official rule is that only two team members can row.

For them, the races are a chance to relive the adrenaline rush of high school sports and competition.

“There used to be bloody noses, broken jaws,” Schroeder said with a laugh — only slightly exaggerating. He recalled the dominance of past teams like the Pettigrews, and legends like Howie North and Dirk Early.

“When I was 16, those guys would come out of the boats with blood dripping off everyone.”

Despite that intensity, good sportsmanship is still central to the event.

“The most important part, for me, is that when every race is done, we, as the John K. Ott teams, wait for everyone to come in and congratulate them — even if it’s a team that’s never raced before,” Schroeder said.

The John K. Ott teams take the competition seriously, but they all agree the weekend is about much more than winning.

“Things like this are important in your community,” Mitchell said. “Everyone is busy, but it’s important to take time out and connect with the people you share this community with.”

That kind of connection is at the heart of what keeps the team coming back.

“You know when you have those people in your life who are always the go-tos?” Mitchell said. “I feel like this core group of people — that’s what we are to one another. That weekend is just a reminder that, as busy as life gets, we all have each other’s backs and want the best for each other.”

They all say they’re grateful to Eugene and Lucille Garypie for continuing to sponsor the team and keeping that foundation strong.

“Year after year, they are there to sponsor us, make sure we have tents and coolers, and host a barbecue for the team that weekend,” Mitchell said. “I definitely don’t think this would be possible if it weren’t for them. We know it’s important to them, and we really appreciate what they do to bring us together.”

Karin Schroeder echoed that sentiment.

“The saying ‘friends are the family you choose for yourself’ really nutshells our group,” she said. “And it starts from the top down. Lucille and Gene Garypie love us like we’re their own — and it goes both ways. We’re lucky to have grown up here, and proud we’re raising the next generation to hopefully feel the same way.”