Island Falls Kayak/Canoe Race features strong group of paddlers

2 years ago

ISLAND FALLS, Maine – On Sunday, July 31, the Island Falls Lakes Association (IFLA) sponsored its 18th annual Around-the-Pond Canoe/Kayak/SUP Races at Birch Point Lodge and Campground on Pleasant Lake in Island Falls.

The event featured 27 racers, ranging in ages from 6 to 76. By participating, the paddlers raised money for the Southern Aroostook Community School scholarship program. The IFLA will award $250 in scholarships this year.

The Island Falls Lakes Association recently hosted its 18th annual Around-the-Pond Canoe/Kayak/SUP Races at Birch Point Lodge and Campground on Pleasant Lake in Island Falls. The race featured 27 paddlers, ranging in ages from 6 to 76.
(Courtesy of Thomas Burgos)

The association thanks the many paddlers and spectators who came out, as well as its members who donated their time for the event.  Elaine Small and her SACS scholarship volunteers provided grilled hotdogs and treats for all the paddlers and workers at the conclusion of the race.

 Results for the race were as follows: 

Student Short Race 11 and under – 1, Tucker Greene, 3 minutes, 14 seconds; 2, James Farnsworth, 4:38; 3, Ryland Greene, 4:55; and 4, Maelyn Greene, 5:48.

Student Short Race 12 and 13 – 1, Connor Lilley, 3:31; 2, Daniel Kuindersma, 3:33; 3, Autumn Unterriener, 3:48; and 4, Abigail Farnsworth, 3:52.

Women SUP Race – 1, Beth Poliquin, 19:05; and 2, Sue Burgos, 21:20.

Male Kayak Race – 1, Jim Pettyjohn, 16:13; 2, Conner Walker, 17:03; 3, Connor Edwards, 18:14; 4, Adam Farnsworth, 18:53; and 5, Casey VanSchoubroek, 20:45.

Female Canoe Race – 1, Amanda Pankratz and Kimberly Greene, 18:41.

Male Canoe Race – 1, Josh Bears and Nathan Bears, 15:25.

Mixed Canoe Race – 1, Peter Blood and Carol Blood, 15:11; 2, Kelsey McDonald and Brian McDonald, 19:57. 

Tandem Open Race – 1, Aimee Guerette and Bob Guerette, 17:23; 2, Lily Phipps and Olivia Phipps, 23:59.