2026 Teams
Jackson Sippe and Lydia Noonan – Boulder, CO
Jackson and Lydia are traveling all the way from Boulder, CO, to compete this year. Jackson grew up doing this competition with his dad, and this will be his eighth time competing. Lydia works in residential and commercial construction but is a first-time boat builder, and she’s excited to experience the competition.
This is a wonderful addition to the lineup! Their combined background brings a great dynamic to the event. Jackson’s eight years of experience carrying on a family tradition paired with Lydia’s professional construction skills make them a strong and exciting team to watch this year.
Rigel Jessen and Joseph Hartnett – McClellanville, SC
This is the second year for this unique team, which brings together an impressive blend of craftsmanship, outdoor passion, and athletic discipline. In addition to being skilled local contractors, both men are avid fly fishermen. Their competitive drive extends well beyond boat building: Rigel is a dedicated grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, while Joseph is an active boxer. Rigel brings a lifelong connection to the event, having competed in the challenge since childhood alongside his father, Marshall.
Together, Rigel and Joseph combine their precise carpentry talents with the stamina and focus of combat sports athletes, making them a formidable duo to watch. Last year, they famously competed in New York banker’s attire, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.
Clayton Colleran and Chris Barber – Bluffton, SC
A career construction guy who couldn’t resist the ultimate DIY project, Clayton just wrapped up a five-year boat build, proving that patience might be the most important tool. When he’s not managing builds that actually pay the bills, he’s happiest creating things that float (mostly) and telling anyone within earshot that epoxy is just “liquid confidence.”
Chris is a land and site work specialist by trade but a lifelong tinkerer at heart. Whether it’s shaping dirt or shaping wood, he’s all about working with his hands and making something useful. Known for his big laugh and bigger love for the outdoors, he swears sawdust is a food group and thinks this competition sounds more like a vacation than a challenge.
Bryce Becker and Brian Becker – Havelock, NC and Gloucester NC
Bryce Becker is a veteran wooden boat builder and longtime competitor in the Georgetown Wooden Boat Challenge. Based in Newport, North Carolina, Bryce has competed in Georgetown multiple times, earning 1st place in 2023, 2nd place in 2021 and 2024, and 3rd place in 2019. Bryce enjoys the challenge of building a quality boat under pressure and especially the combination of craftsmanship, speed, teamwork, and competition that makes the Georgetown Wooden Boat Challenge unique.
Brian Becker Hails from Gloucester, NC where his title is listed as “Doer of things”. Not new to the boat building world Brian still has to take cues from Bryce who claims to know everything there is to know about building wooden boats. Even then; Brian claims that building wooden boats is not that hard. Making them go fast is another story.
Gavin Pflaumer and Jacques Bryan – Wilmington, NC and St. Thomas USVI
Aaron Stevens and Colton Stevens – Lenoir, NC and Nebo, NC
Aaron and Colton are back for their second year in the Wooden Boat Challenge, bringing a unique blend of care, precision, and craftsmanship to the water. By day, both brothers serve their communities as dedicated Registered Nurses—Aaron with Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, and Colton with Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby, NC.
When they swap their scrubs for tool belts, their shared passion for hands-on projects comes alive. Aaron brings his meticulous woodworking skills to the build, while Colton doubles as the family auto mechanic, ensuring their construction is as structurally sound as it is sleek. Having competed together last year, this brotherly duo is ready to put their teamwork, technical problem-solving, and love for building to the test once again. Keep an eye on these two as they navigate this year’s challenge!
Aaron Randall and Roscoe Randall – High Point NC and Atlantic Beach NC
Aaron and Roscoe Randall are a dynamic father-son duo bringing a lifelong love of maritime craft to this year’s Wooden Boat Challenge. For Aaron—a wordworking hobbyist and former Charleston, SC resident—this event is a dream that’s been years in the making. Having sold lumber and plywood to professional boat builders for over two decades, he has always wanted to jump into the arena himself.
This year, his “ship” has finally come in, and he is competing alongside his 19-year-old son, Roscoe. Roscoe has been hooked on the challenge ever since his dad first took him to watch the event 10 to 12 years ago. Now working in commercial and residential construction, Roscoe is a brilliant young craftsman who works circles around his dad with his hands. Serving as the definitive “brains” of the operation, Roscoe’s great ideas and sharp technical skills make him the perfect partner. Combining decades of material expertise with next-generation building talent, this father and son team is thrilled for the opportunity to finally leave their mark on the challenge.
Clay Livingston and Hugh Livingston – Pawleys Island, SC and Salisbury, MD
