Staff Writer
The Aroostook waterway will host a race to save lives on May 10 and 11. Canoeists and kayakers will paddle through the runoff rapid waters in the first annual Aroostook River 60-mile Canoe and Kayak Race to benefit North Star Search an Rescue. “We are making this our only fund-raising event each year, so we are hoping that people around Aroostook County will bring their canoes and kayaks and partake in the fun,” said Randolph Michaud, race coordinator and chief of NS-SAR.
North Star Search and Rescue, the only official search and rescue team north of Lincoln, provides much needed backup in the event of someone losing their way of becoming injured in the wilderness of Aroostook County. They are most often called upon by the Maine Warden Service, Forestry Service and local police departments, but have also assisted the Maine Forest Service with forest fires.
In order to effectively protect northern outdoor enthusiasts, NS-SAR must update their equipment every two years, including medical supplies, rescue litters, GPS units and mapping software.
“The search and rescue team and its members do not get paid to perform any search and rescue efforts either by the state or the federal government,” said Michaud. “We exist on the generosity of the local businesses and individuals that donate to us every year. On an average year, we will be called to help in some type of search effort eight to 10 times, depending on the severity of the search.”
Organizers hope that the race will help NS-SAR continue through its tenth year as an active unit in Aroostook County.
The Saturday morning race day will begin with a breakfast provided by the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club with the push off beginning at 8 a.m. at the nearby boat launch area in Ashland. The first day of racing will end around 7 p.m. Sunday race day will begin at 8 a.m. with the race ending at the Fort Fairfield boat launch area.
The race will mark a historic event as the longest race on the Aroostook River and in Maine, the next closest being the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in New York. Individuals already registered include racers from Africa and all around New England. Those interested in registering can visit the race Web site at http://rmichaud36tripod.com and click on Aroostook River Race to download a registration form. New entries will also be taken on race day at the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club beginning at 7 a.m.
Organizers are also continually looking for volunteers to help at the checkpoints along the river. Interested individuals should contact Lisa Michaud at 764-3866 or lmichaud41@roadrunner.com.
DIRIGO Search and Rescue, from Bangor, has volunteered to serve as protectors over the race with their long-distance communication equipment.
“We would think that people would like to take part in this race to help out the local search and rescue team, as well as have some fun,” said Michaud.
For any other questions, contact R. Michaud at 764-3866 or rmichaud42@roadrunner.com.
