Canoe and Kayak Race

by The Staff 9/19/11

A picture perfect day on the lake for the races

When I (Bobby Blair) awoke on Saturday the thermometer read 46 degress. A few sticks of wood into the wood stove took off the chill in the house while I entertained the idea of covering the canoe and kayak races at the lake. Would those taking part in the races be wearing wet suits I wondered.

 (above) Kathy Shore (right) shows Angela Lawless the finer points of wearing a life preserver. I arrived early, too early in fact as the registration begins at 11 a.m. not the races themselves. The park was full of vehicles lining the hill down into the park. I noticed two cars pulling out and waited my turn to pull into the vacated spot. A car behind me just couldn't wait and pulled around me taking the empty spot. The man and a child headed over to the soccer field oblivious to his lack of driving manners. I remained mum.

Sampling a soda and chips I awaited the races under the towering pines. Little did I realize that there would be a multitude of races and not just one each for canoes and kayaks. I stayed for the end of the men's kayak race.

 John Goeller (above) whose kayak appeared a little fancier than the other contestants had no problem traversing the course around the islands to a mid point not far off the Pleasure Point shore and back into Stoddard beach taking first place.

The afternoon was warming a tad and I wandered back under the pines. Four bands would be entertaining during the day and the song being played by the band at that moment took me back to a day in 1965 when I remember the same tune being played on the beach from my transitor radio not yards away. Reality sunk in when I remembered my lawn needed mowing and five cords of wood sat in my driveway awaiting stacking.

Addition by Ann Talbot: Bobby and I must have passed on Norfolk Street.  I saw the ladies' kayak race won by Janice Miller (holding black paddle below). 

Two heats and a final were "run" in the two person canoe race.  The excitement included a capsize with no injuries.  The winners were Brian and Anne Johnston in a formidable light canoe, also winning the combined-ages-over-90 canoe race. There was a parent/child race including children of all ages.

Entertainment throughout the afternoon included the Hillbilly Pop Band (pictured above), the Red Pony (below) and Holliston High's Euphony -- all very talented local bands -- with a terrific sound system. 

 

The race of the afternoon was a combination of the neighborhood race and the selectman's cup.  The Johnston canoe came across the finish line first, but the team disqualified itself from winning The Cup.  Therefore, Gregg Lewis and Joanne Costello defended their title as Keeper-of the-Cup for another year.

Congratulations to all participants and to chair Steve Apesos and his committee. 

The winner of the kayak raffle was Shelia Lane of Tracy Lynn Road. Shelia's ticket was purchased by her husband John who is a Holliston postman.

Posted in Local Lore, Sports.

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