On July 27, the Island Falls Lakes Association (IFLA) sponsored their 10th annual Around the Pond Canoe/Kayak Races at Birch Point Lodge and Campgrounds on Pleasant Lake in Island Falls. This year, the races were held in memory of Norm Harte, president of the IFLA, a very active supporter of the races and IFLA, and an advocate for local lakes, who passed away suddenly this spring. The paddlers raised money for the Southern Aroostook Chapter of Dollars for Scholars.
The first-place winners were: Gavin Vining (junior kayak), Cody Lassonde (student kayak), Jim Pettyjohn (mixed adult kayak), Bob and Aimee Guerette (tandem kayak), Peter Blood, Kim and Isaac Laliberte (mixed double canoe).
YOUNG PADDLER — Gavin Vining placed first in the junior kayak division with a race time of 17:28 minutes.
The overall race results are as follows:
Junior Kayak (age 14 and below) — first, Gavin Vining, 24:03 and second, Gunner Siltz, 33:34.
Student Kayak (age 15-17) — first, Cody Lassonde, 16:47 and second, Trenton Cullinan, 17:28.
Adult Kayak (Mixed) — first, Jim Pettyjohn, 15:19 and second, Linda Slauenwhite, 23:34.
Mixed Tandem Kayak — first, Bob and Aimee Guerette, 16:12 and second, Robert and Geraldine Smith, 17:04.
Mixed Double Canoe – first, Peter Blood, Kim and Isaac Laliberte, 14:17 (best overall time), and second, Brian MacDonald and Kelsey MacDonald, 17:15.
