Paddle With A Kid

New MaCKRO challenge; Houlton canoe race May 1
By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    The Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race has a category fitting to every paddler’s ability — novice to advanced — and will be held Saturday, May 1.
    The Houlton race has a variety of categories, and a paddler will be placed in a division to race against other paddlers of equal ability and similar equipment.
    Paddlers will strike out at 10 a.m. from the Wellington residence on the Station Road in New Limerick and finish the eight-mile whitewater course at the boat landing under the Highland Avenue bridge. This is the eighth of 11 Downriver Point Series races.
    Organizers are hoping for good weather and water conditions. Registration for the Meduxnekeag River race will be from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Wellingtons, with a race briefing at 9:30 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $15 adult and $10 youth.
    For more information, call Peter Blood at 532-2577 or e-mail cibpgb@myfairpoint.net Pre-register by April 29 and get a free T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit Dollars for Scholars.
    The Houlton race will also be the third of five Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) Paddle With a Kid challenge race, which is one of two new divisional challenges that MaCKRO introduced this year to encourage youth paddling. It is also part of the High School Challenge Series, as well.
    The last two Paddle With a Kid races will be June 12, the Union River Race and June 19, the Sebec River Race.
    Another gift for the Paddle With a Kid drawing has been donated by Karen Francoeur of Castine Kayaks. It is a full day of guided sea kayaking for an adult and youth, a package worth $210. Winners of this prize will have to book their day in advance, and recognize that a gratuity for the guide is not included.