By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
For the first time in several years, the river gods and Mother Nature were on the same page providing a perfect day filled with warm weather and bright sunshine as 90 canoe and kayakers set sail (or paddles) competing in the 32nd annual Madawaska River Race, sponsored by the Stockholm American Legion on May 20.
Sponsored by the Stockholm American Legion, the 32nd annual Madawaska River Run held on May 20, brought out 90 canoe and kayak entries, the highest number of participants in several years.
“This was the largest turnout we’ve had for the race in many years,” said Herman Fisher, commander, Stockholm American Legion Post 136, “the weather was perfect and there was lots of water.”
As the 90 entrants lined up their canoes and kayaks and in some instances collected their crews, the popular 5.3-mile race got under way by the Little Madawaska Lake Bridge. Although there was plenty of water for the trek, which would take them to the finish line under the bridge in front of the American Legion Post Home in Stockholm, it was rather low at the starting point.
There was just enough of a breeze to keep most of the newly arrived black flies and mosquitoes at bay, but some rookie racers and seasoned seafarers alike faced other challenges — like finding that the paddle they were using might just have baked in the sun far too long last summer, causing it to snap at first contact with the river bottom as its handler tried to push off in the shallow water. Others found it necessary for one passenger to disembark from the ship and pull it along for the first several yards, before it became adrift — and there were the vessels that carried extensive ballast (gear or bodies) which eventually, with much prodding went afloat, albeit still sitting very, very low in the water.
Even the most seasoned canoer or kayaker knows that sometimes things — as in your watercraft — just don’t go in the direction you intend them too. It was no exception to this fact on May 20, as some vessels seem to just take on a mind of their own, heading toward the shore, either left or right or in some cases, indeed causing their crew to appear to be traveling upstream.
If you have never participated in this event or more so, have never been witness to it, keep it in mind when next May rolls around. Even if you decide against being an entrant, just be there and take in all the sights and sounds — it’s for a good cause in the Stockholm American Legion and you most likely will agree that it’s good for your frame of mind.
Winners in the 32nd annual Madawaska River Run, in their respective divisions were as follows.
Class B — Men’s recreation over 16-6 2-man canoe; Fran Cyr and Dave McCrossin, 54 minutes flat.
Class C Century — combined ages equals 100 or more 2-person canoe or kayak; Tom and Donna Campbell, 2:27.20.
Class D — 2-person recreational under 16-6: Bob and Keanen Masse; 1: 55.13.
Class E —mixed recreational canoe open: Rob and Ginger Kieffer, 1:9.07.
Class F —Women’s recreational canoe, open: Susan Plissey, 1:15.26.
Class G —Junior division, 16 years or under canoe: Rylan Massey, 1:54.12.
Class K — Men’s kayak: one man; first place, Devon Cote, 1:12.30; second place Craig Peterson, 1:32.09; and third place River Bourgoine, 1;34.15.
Class L — Ladies kayak, one woman; first place, Linda Callison, 1:19.09;; second place Lynn Turnbull, 1:29.39 and third Faith Peterson, 1:32.07.
The winner of the 10-foot WaterQuest kayak was Carl Anderson of New Sweden.
Those winners who did not receive their trophy are asked to call 896-3161 to arrange for pickup or delivery.
