Canoe races are coming up quickly

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The Houlton-Hodgdon Dollars For Scholars Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race paddles in Saturday, May 5, in Houlton. A part of the 2012 Maine Downriver Championship Series Point Race, the Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race awards points to canoeists and kayakers who finish the event, but for many, the event is more of a recreational opportunity and an annual rite of spring.
    The following weekend, Saturday, May 12, the Merrill Millstream Park Committee will host its inaugural canoe race to raise funds for the many activities scheduled at the park this summer. The race was originally set for May 5, but pushed back a week so as not to conflict with the Meduxnekeag race.
Meduxnekeag River Race
    Registration begins at 8 a.m. Participants will compete for the fastest time to the finish line at the “Old Red Bridge” in Oakfield. The entrance fee is $10 per paddler. Participants must be at least 12 years of age or older.
    Competitors will reassemble at the Merrill Millstream Park following the race for trophies and ribbons in the following categories: Open Class (Race team of more than 2 canoeists or a craft not classified as a canoe or kayak); K-2 (2-person Kayak, males, females, or mixed); K-1L (1-person kayak longer than 13ft 4 inches; K-1S (1-person kayak 13ft 4 inches and under; C-2 (Mix canoe – one man one woman); C-2M (Canoe – both males); C-2W (Canoe – both females); C-2HS (High School students canoe any length, both participants must be 16-18 years old.)
    Hot coffee, chocolate and donuts will be available.
    As races go, the Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race falls near the beginning of the state’s canoe race schedule. The St. George River Race typically kicks off the local racing series. That event is slated for March 30 in Searsmont.
    Todd Willard and Malcom Nesbitt are co-chairs for the race. Willard teaches at Houlton High School while Nesbitt teaches at Hodgdon High School. Willard took over organization of the longtime canoe race from Peter Blood, who still competes in the race and assists with some aspects of the race.
    Paddlers from around the state and Canada, touting canoes and kayaks of all sizes, typically participate in the race. The Meduxnekeag River got its name from Maliseet Indians in the area. Its name means “rocks at its mouth.”
    The river is 35 miles long and flows east from Drews Lake to Woodstock, N.B. where it enters the St. John River.
    In the beginning, the canoe race was a chance for daring college students at Ricker College to let off some steam before final exams and the end of the school year. A party-oriented event, students often cared less about their finishing time or who won the race.
    At some point in time, the Houlton Rotary Club took over the race and turned it into a more mature event. Elwood Scott, a former principal at Houlton High School, was heavily involved in the race’s organization for a number of years. The event now serves as a memorial to Scott as the Dollars for Scholars program presents money to students in his memory. Blood served as the race organizer for many years before turning it over to Willard and Nesbitt a few years ago.
    Over the years, the race has started at different locations, depending on the water levels. Traditionally, the race begins at the home of Linwood and Julia Wellington on the Station Road in New Limerick. When high water conditions exist, the course moves downstream somewhat since there a couple of bridges that are difficult for boats to maneuver under.
    “I’m not a foreseer of the future, but if I had to guess, I’ll bet there will be some boats dragging on rocks this year,” Willard said. “The ice broke up quite early this year, due to the milder winter, so that plays a factor.”
    He added if the area received a heavy amount of rain this spring, his prediction of low water levels would change dramatically.
    The Wellington’s home has served as the traditional starting point for many years.
    “Everyone thinks that Peter lives there,” Willard said. “The Wellingtons have been very accommodating, letting us use their property. Their only request is a race T-shirt.”
    The course winds from Mill Stream into the Meduxnekeag River and finishes below the Highland Avenue bridge at the public landing. Refreshments such as hot dogs, chips and sodas, typically await the tired, hungry and sometimes wet paddlers.
    The race offers a variety of classes for the competitive paddlers, but also has a fair share of novices participating. Rescue personnel donate their time to assist with patrolling the river, ready to help when needed.
    “We have a lot of people who wake up the day of the race and decide to do it because they know that rescue workers are out there, if needed,” Willard said. “They know if they get into trouble, there are boaters out there to help.”
    The cost to register is $15 per paddler or $10 for students (18 years of age and younger). Those that register early will receive a race T-shirt. For more information, or to signup, contact Willard at towillard@msln.net.
Merill Millstream Park race
    MERRILL — The race begins at the Merrill Millstream Park, located on Route 212 in Merrill. Registration beginning at 8 a.m. Participants will compete for the fastest time to the finish line at the “Old Red Bridge” in Oakfield. The entrance fee is $10 per paddler. Participants must be at least 12 years of age or older.
    Competitors will reassemble at the Merrill Millstream Park following the race for trophies and ribbons in the following categories: Open Class (Race team of more than 2 canoeists or a craft not classified as a canoe or kayak); K-2 (2-person Kayak, males, females, or mixed); K-1L (1-person kayak longer than 13ft 4 inches; K-1S (1-person kayak 13ft 4 inches and under; C-2 (Mix canoe – one man one woman); C-2M (Canoe – both males); C-2W (Canoe – both females); C-2HS (High School students canoe any length, both participants must be 16-18 years old.)
    Hot coffee, chocolate and donuts will be available.