open class - Westfield River Whitewater Races
Transcription
open class - Westfield River Whitewater Races
Welcome to the running of the 61st annual The The The61st 61st 61stRunning Running Running Saturday, april 19, 2014 The oldesT consecuTively run whiTewaTer race in america. www.westfieldriverraces.com Welcome to the running of the 61St annual 2014 T H E O L D E S T C O N S E C U T I V E L Y R U N W H I T E WAT E R R A C E I N A M E R I C A . T H E O L D E S T C O N S E C U T I V E L Y R U N W H I T E WAT E R R A C E I N A M E R I C A . Pro class expert race - $500 cash prize with payout back places Pro class in in expert race - $500 cash firstfirst prize with payout back 3434 places awards back places in all novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female awards back fivefive places in all novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female Awards back five places in novice classes. Jr./Sr. male andback 34 places Pro class inback expert race $500 cash first prize with payout with awards 10 places in each with awards back 10 places in all each Pro class in expert race - $500 cash first prize with payout back places Pro class in expert race - -$500 cash first prize with payout back 3434 places Westfield river canoe club, inc. Westfield river canoe club, inc. P.o. P.o. BoxBox 117117 huntington, 01050 huntington, mama 01050 P.o. Box 117 Westfield river canoe club, inc. huntington, P.o. Box 117 ma 01050 huntington, ma 01050 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 ildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 Westfield river canoe club, inc. Westfield Westfieldriver rivercanoe canoeclub, club,inc. inc. P.o. Box 117 P.o. P.o.Box Box117 117 huntington, ma 01050 huntington, huntington,ma ma01050 01050 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 aterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 Westfield river canoe club, inc. WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 Westfield river canoe club, inc. P.o. Box 117 huntington, ma 01050 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 Westfield river canoe club, inc. Westfield river canoe club, inc. P.o. Box 117 P.o. Box 117 huntington, ma 01050 huntington, ma 01050 WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 Jr./Sr. female with awards back 10 places in each awards back five novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female women’s kayak class in novice race women’s kayak class inplaces novice race awards back five places inall all novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female awards back five places ininall novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female with awards back 1010 places Awards back five places in novice classes. Jr./Sr. male andback 34 places Pro class inback expert race - each $500 cash first prize with payout with awards places ineach with awards back 10 places ininall each awards and post race celebration be inside Gateway regional awards and race celebration willwill bein inside at at Gateway regional Women’s kayak class inrace novice race Pro class inpost expert - $500 first prize with payout back 34 places Jr./Sr. female with awards back 10cash places each women’s kayak class innovice race high school high school awards back five in all novice women’s kayak class innovice novice race classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female women’s kayak class inplaces race with awards 10 places in novice each classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female awards backback five places in all Two whitewater race clinics: 29 &will April 5inside awards and post race celebration will be inside at Gateway regional Pro class in race -celebration $500 cash first prize back 3434places three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april &payout 11 three whitewater clinics: march 28, april 3with &3 11 with back 10race places inMarch each awards and post race will be inside at Gateway regional awards and post race celebration be at Gateway regional Women’s kayak class inrace novice race Proawards class inexpert expert - $500 cash first prize with payout back places high school women’s kayak class in novice race high school high school awards back five places in all novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female women’s kayak class in novice race awards back five places in all novice classes. Jr./sr. male and Jr./sr. female three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 11 with awards back 10 race places incelebration awards and post race will be inside at Gateway regional Pro class inback expert race - each $500 cash28, first prize with payout 34 places three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 11 three whitewater clinics: april 33 &3&11 with awards places ineach HO P E Tand O S10E E Yyou O Umarch O N R A C&Gateway E D back AY. Hope to see you on dAy. Hope to see on high school awards post race celebration will rAce be rAce inside atdAy. regional women’s kayak class in novice race E CM O I TETEEclasses. E2 021001 0Jr./sr. • • R ARplaces CAin EC novice CO IM TT • • male and Jr./sr. female high schoolkayak awards back five in allM novice women’s class race three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 3 & 11 with awards back 10 places indeach www.westfieldriverraces.com www.westfieldriverraces.com w w w. w e s t f i e l r i v e r r a c e sA . cCGateway odAy. Hawards O P E T O S E E Y O U O N R Em D regional AY. Hope to see you on rAce and race celebration will berAce inside three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 3 at & at 11 Hope to see you on rAce dAy. Hope to see you on dAy. awards andpost post race celebration will be inside Gateway regional • R A C E C O M M I T T E E 2 0 1 0 • high school women’s kayak class in novice race • R A C E C O M M I T T E E 2 0 1 0 • high school • R A C E C O M I T T E E 2 0 1 0 • www.westfieldriverraces.com Countless individuals www.westfieldriverraces.com www.westfieldriverraces.com wwhitewater wand w. w e srace tsee f iclinics: ecelebration ld rmarch ihave v eon r28,rcome a crAce e3s&.together c Gateway odAy. m regional 3/15/10 10:26:48 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM AM three race april to you awards post will be inside threeHope whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 3 at &1111 to make this event a success. to • R see A C E Cyou O M M I Ton T E E 2rAce 0 1 0 • dAy. highHope school •Our R A Cspecial E C O M M thanks I T T E E 2 0to: 10 • www.westfieldriverraces.com 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM 3/15/10 10:26:48 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM AM three whitewater race clinics: march 28, april 3 & 11 www.westfieldriverraces.com • RACE COMMITTEE 2014 • Hope dAy. Hope tosee see you on on rAce dAy. • The to Towns of you Huntington &rAce Russell • RACE COMMITTEE 2010 • • RACE COMMITTEE 2010 • • www.westfieldriverraces.com Huntington Police Dept. www.westfieldriverraces.com Hope to see you rAce dAy. • Russell Policeon Dept. • RACE COMMITTEE 2010 • • U.S.www.westfieldriverraces.com Army Corps of Engineers • Massachusetts Highway Dept. WildwaterRaces_RegForm_11x17.indd 1 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM 3/15/10 10:26:48 AM Thank you! Ed Smith, Race Committee Chairman Good Luck and Good Paddling! In memory of Jürgen Igel 1950-2005 Co-chair - Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. 1983-2005 JURGEN G. IGEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Since 1973, Jurgen G. Igel had been an integral part of the Westfield River Wildwater Races, both as a participant and as race chairman. Jurgen passed away in June of 2005. In memory of Jurgen, this scholarship was established by his wife, Debbie. The award is given to a member of the senior class from Gateway Regional High School who exemplifies Jurgen’s love of the outdoors as well as his spirit of giving of himself to others. You can contribute to the Scholarship Fund by clearly designating any additional amount of your entry fee as a Jurgen Igel Scholarship Fund donation, or by writing a separate check to the “Jurgen G. Igel Scholarship Fund”. You may also purchase a t-shirt or a Westfield River Canoe Club wristband, with a portion of the t-shirt price, and all of the wristband proceeds, being donated to the scholarship fund. Thank you for helping to keep Jurgen’s memory alive in our paddling community. Pro Class prize money breakdown will be as follows: PLACE OPEN 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th $ 400.00 $ 300.00 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 100.00 $ 95.00 $ 90.00 $ 85.00 $ 80.00 $ 75.00 $ 70.00 $ 65.00 $ 60.00 $ 55.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 AWARDED BY Jeffrey M. DeFeo, Inc. B&D Variety Westfield River Canoe Club Debbie Igel Westfield River Canoe Club Berkshire Outfitters FLN-MAR Richie's General Service Westfield River Canoe Club Hilltown Community Health Centers Al's Tire & Auto Repair O'Melia Electric, LLC Cassin Insurance/Bates Fullam Insurance Westfield Water Sports (W.E.U.) J&R Service Truck Crane Service, Inc. Sanford & Hawley, Inc. Lafond Septic Pumping Harvest Moon Realty Huntington Country Store WOMENS 1st $ 100.00 2nd $ 85.00 3rd $ 50.00 Moltenbrey's Market Four Main Street Bar & Grill East Mountain Country Club MIXED 1st $ 150.00 2nd $ 125.00 3rd $ 100.00 4th $ 90.00 5th $ 80.00 6th $ 70.00 7th $ 60.00 8th $ 50.00 9th $ 50.00 10th $ 50.00 Westfield River Canoe Club Westfield River Canoe Club Braman Termite & Pest Elimination Jeffrey Scott Penn, Architect Morisi & O'Connell Hilltown Law Offices Wolcott Realty Tekoa Country Club & Banquet Main Street Styles & Spa Gateway Farm And Pet Jeff's Oil Burner Service Women’s and mixed prizes are bonus money in addition to overall place in open class. All prizes must be claimed at the awards ceremony by at least one member of the winning team. No prize money will be mailed. Awards will take place between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Strathmore Park. All boats in the Pro class must be measured prior to the start of the race. Boat width must equal 16% of the length. ABS hulls only and 17’ maximum length. Pro class start order will be determined by lottery. For more information contact Ed Smith, 413-636-2397 or paddling4fun@gmail.com. OPEN CLASS 1st Place Open Class $400 congratulations on 61 years of racing 5th Place Open Class $150 Jeffery M. DeFeo, Inc. custom builder (413) 354-9684 Free estimates ingell rd., chester, mA 01011 2nd Place Open Class $300 Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 You Could Sponsor This Space Next Year 6th Place Open Class $100 B&D VaRiETy CANOES & KAYAKS Since 1973 22 E. Main Street Huntington, MA 01050 Store 413-667-8831 • Fax 413-667-3240 OPEN 7 DAYS • 6AM - 7PM Berkshire Outfitters NEW & USED RACING – TOURING RT. 8 • ADAMS, MA • 413.743.5900 7th Place Open Class $95 3rd Place Open Class $250 CelebraTiNg 45 YearS of ServiNg our CuSTomerS Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 We are more than just Rubber & Plastics, we are your source for solutions! You Could Sponsor This Space Next Year 102 Cabot Street, P.O. Box 307, Holyoke, MA 01041-0307 4th Place Open Class $200 Congratulations on 61 Years of Racing 8th Place Open Class $90 RiCH SMaLL, Owner (413) 354-6543 RiCHiE’S GENERaL SERViCE In Memory of Jürgen Igel From Debbie Igel COMPLETE aUTO REPaiR SERViCE CUSTOM EXHaUST BENDiNG NEW & USED JEEP PaRTS iN STOCK 260 ROUTE 20 CHESTER, Ma 01011 OPEN CLASS 9th Place Open Class $85 13th Place Open Class $65 CASSIN INSURANCE AGENCY BATES FULLAM INSURANCE AGENCY INSURANCE FOR EVERY NEED Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. 104 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01086 (413) 568-1243 www.cassinins.com AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS Free Registry Service P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 open m-f 9-5, Saturday by appointment You Could Sponsor This Space Next Year 10th Place Open Class $80 Hilltown Community Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc. Inc. Health Centers, Insuring Westfield and the Hilltowns for over 27 years (413) 562-8431 fax 14th Place Open Class $60 WWW.WEU.COM Excellent Stock of: Fishing & Recreational Kayaks Canoes and accessories Wetsuit Rentals available Please call ahead. www.hchcweb.org www.hchcweb.org Worthington: 413-238-5511 Worthington: 413-238-5511 Huntington: 413-667-3009 Huntington: 413-667-3009 M-Th. 12p-8p, Fri. 10a-8p, Sat. 9a-6p, Sun. 12p-5:30p Providing Affordable Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Providing Medical, Dental, Behavioral Eye Care,Affordable and Community Services to the Hilltowns Health, Eye Care, and Community Services to the Hilltowns 11th Place Open Class $75 In Loving Memory of Tim Morin AL’S TIRE & AUTO REPAIR 15th Place Free Estimates Open Class $55 When it comes to tires we do it all, from wheelbarrows to big rigs. Brakes • Shocks • Struts Front End Repairs and Alignments Al’s Tire Shop 918 Southampton Rd. Westfield, MA 01085 Mike Morin 562-3391 / 562-1704 M-F 8-5 Sat. 8-12 12th Place Open Class $70 5 E Main Street Huntington, Ma. 01050 Jeremy Zielinski Owner office 413-667-3332 jeremyzielinski@verizon.net cell 413-505-9762 fax 413-207-3184 16th Place Open Class $50 Since 1955 • 596Years of Quality Service Electric Master Licence # 26829E 354-6531 OPEN CLASS 17th Place Open Class $50 19th Place Open Class $50 From the Berkshires to the Hilltowns homes~vacation~retreats~farms~ land 413-354-2300-Office 413-354-2304-Fax 413-539-3563-Cell 19 Main Street, Chester, MA 01011 am@harvestmoonrealty.com Good Luck Paddlers! M-F 7:00-4:30; Sat. 7:30-12:00 ● Website: www.sanhaw.com 20th Place Open Class $50 18th Place Open Class $50 Septic Pumping WOMEN’S CLASS 3rd Place Women’s Class $50 1st Place Women’s Class $100 18-HOLE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE AND FULL SERVICE BANQUET FACILITY ProShop Banquet www.eastmountaincc.com 413 413 568-1539 562-7533 2nd Place Women’s Class $85 Four Main Street B a r & G r i l l Just 20 minutesfrom Westfield on scenic Jacob’s Ladder Trail (Rt. 20) 4 Main Street • Huntington, Ma 01050 413-667-5300 Creative Lunch & Dinner Specials Full Liquor & Arsenal of Beers on Tap Come to our Race Reception in our New EVENT Room. FREE CIDER & SNACKS ALL DAY SATURDAY GOOD LUCK PADDLERS Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 MIXED CLASS 1st Place Mixed Class $150 5th Place Mixed Class $80 Morisi & O'Connell Hilltown Law Offices Attorneys at Law Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. No Charge for Initial Consultation Weekend and evening hours available P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 142 Westfield Road, Russell, MA You Could Sponsor This Space Next Year 413-667-5200 413-785-5100 6th Place Mixed Class $70 2nd Place Mixed Class $125 Wolcott Realty Serving the Hilltowns for more than 50 years! Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. 142 Westfield Road, Russell, MA P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050 413-562-4778 www.wolcottrealty.com You Could Sponsor This Space Next Year 3rd Place Mixed Class $100 7th Place Mixed Class $60 Termite & Pest Elimination Since 1890 Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back! 4th Place Mixed Class $90 www.bramanpest.com 800-338-6757 For Occasions to Remember 459 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085 413-568-1636 8th Place Mixed Class $50 Nails • Pedicures • Hair • Massages • Facials • Waxing Licensed Professionals Hours: Tues. 9-6, Wed-Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-2 11 Main Street, Huntington 413-667-5202 MIXED CLASS 9th Place Mixed Class $50 farm animal feed & SupplieS pet food & SupplieS • bird Seed & Suet auto maintenance • laWn & garden toolS & SupplieS • 4 Step • fertilizerS SoilS • mulch • the mountain t-ShirtS • giftS 10th Place Mixed Class $50 We now carry Chippewa boots Come Visit Our Greenhouse! See our new website: www.gatewayfarmandpet.com Enjoy the Races, and our beautiful area! Return often. Please keep in mind that keeping the Races affordable, the prizes for the Pro Race categories, and indeed, the long term continued running of the Races, is dependent upon the support of the Sponsors and Advertisers in this booklet. They support the Races, so please support them as frequently as possible! If you are a businessperson, or family, who wishes to support the Oldest Consecutively Run Whitewater Races in America, please contact Linda Hamlin (llindahamlin@netscape.net), or Ed Smith, the Race Director. We can accommodate any level of support. You can do your part to help the 61st annual Westfield River Wildwater Races succeed too, by entering the expert or novice class races, or simply coming out to cheer on Saturday, April 19th. To learn more, call Ed Smith 413-636-2397, or see our website: www.westfieldriverraces.com Jacob’s ladder business association members support the Westfield river Whitewater races Some benefits of your $45 annual membership are: And much more... Join us! JLBA POBox19,Huntington,MA01050 www.jlba.org Good Luck, Paddlers! Jacob’s ladder business association members support the Westfield river Whitewater races Four Main Street B a r & G r i l l Just 20 minutes from Westfield on scenic Jacob’s Ladder Trail (Rt. 20) 4 Main Street • Huntington, Ma 01050 • 413-667-5300 Creative Lunch & Dinner Specials • Full Liquor & Arsenal of Beers on Tap Come to our Race Reception in our New EVENT Room. FREE CIDER & SNACKS ALL DAY SATURDAY GOOD LUCK PADDLERS THURSDAYS PRIME RIB•FRIDAYS FISH & CHIPS•RACE DAY SPECIALS Hours: Wed. - Fri. 11 AM - 9 PM, Sat. 8:30 AM - 9 PM, Sun. 8:30 AM - 8 PM All Star Weekend Breakfast – Chef John Slattery, Proprietor 61st Running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races Expert Race ‐ 2014 Saturday, April 19, 2014 @ 1:30 PM, Registration opens at 12:00 noon (Base of Knightville Dam, Huntington) Name: Paddler 1 Street: City: State: Zip: Phone: Age: Sex: City: State: Zip: Phone: Age: Sex: email: Name: Paddler 2 Street: email: Canoe: Length: Description Class: 5 Mile Races T‐Shirt Orders A OC‐1 Open Canoe, One Paddler B K‐1 Kayak Order your 2014 Wildwater Race T‐Shirts Now. Must be received by April 16, 2014. Note quantity per size C OC‐2 Rec. Masters Recreation Canoe (Under 17.5', Non Racing Hull) Both Paddlers 40 Years or Over D OC‐2 Recreation Recreation Canoe (Under 17.5', Non Racing Hull) Two Paddlers Enclose $12 per t‐shirt Pick them up on Race Day Size Quantity Small 12 Mile Race E OC‐2 Pro Recreation Canoe (Under 17.5', Non Racing Hull) Two Paddlers Medium Registered for both Novice and Expert races Large X‐Large ENTRY FEE: Entries received before April 16, 2014 5 Mile Races = $15 per paddler E ‐ OC‐2 Pro = $20 per paddler Make Checks payable and mail to: Westfield Race Committee Hold Harmless Agreement: P.O. Box 117 Entries received from April 16 to Race Day 5 Mile Races = $20 per paddler E ‐ OC‐2 Pro = $25 per paddler Huntington, MA 01050 I (We) hereby agree to relieve the sponsoring organization, its members and any persons connected with the race in any capacity, of all claims of any nature. Signatures: Official Use Only Paid: Bib #: Comments 61st Running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races Novice Race ‐ 2014 Saturday, April 19, 2014 @ 10:00 AM, Registration opens at 8:00 AM (State DPW Yard, Huntington) Name: Paddler 1 Street: City: State: Zip: Phone: Age: Sex: City: State: Zip: Phone: Age: Sex: email: Name: Paddler 2 Street: email: Canoe: Length: Class: A OC‐2 Description Open Canoe, Two Paddlers B OC‐2 Local Open Canoe, Two Paddlers* C OC‐2 Recreation Open Canoe Under 17.5 Ft., Non Racing Hull Must be received by April 16, 2014. D OC‐2 Mixed Male and Female Team Note quantity per size E OC‐2 Jr/Sr Male ** Male Under 16 Years, Adult Over 25 Years Enclose $12 per t‐shirt F OC‐2 Jr/Sr Female ** Female Under 16 Years, Adult Over 25 Years G OC‐2 Recreation Mixed Recreation Boat, Male/Female Team Size H OC‐2 Recreation Female Recreation Boat, Two Female Team Small I OC‐2 Coleman Coleman Canoes Only T‐Shirt Orders Order your 2014 Wildwater Race T‐Shirts Now. J OC‐2 Aluminum Aluminum Canoes Only K OC‐2 Rec. Masters Recreation Boat, Both Paddlers 40 Years or Over Pick them up on Race Day Quantity Medium L OC‐1 Recreation Recreation Boat, One Paddler M K‐1S 13'‐4" & Under Single Kayak Paddler Large N K‐1L Over 13'‐4" Single Kayak Paddler O K‐1 Women Single Kayak Paddler, Female P Open Any boat, Any paddler/s (see website for details under "What's New") X‐Large Registered for both Novice and Expert races ENTRY FEE: NEW → Entries received before April 16, 2014 All Classes (Except E & F) = $15 per paddler ** Jr/Sr Class = $10 for Jr paddler/$15 for Adult paddler Entries received from April 16 to Race Day All Classes (Except E & F) = $20 per paddler ** Jr/Sr Class = $15 for Jr paddler/$20 for Adult paddler Make Checks payable and mail to: Westfield Race Committee Hold Harmless Agreement: P.O. Box 117 Huntington, MA 01050 I (We) hereby agree to relieve the sponsoring organization, its members and any persons connected with the race in any capacity, of all claims of any nature. Signatures: Notes: No novice team that took first place in a novice event at any time may paddle that event as a team again. Novice class will run in order of arrival and start at 1 minute intervals. *B OC‐2 Local class ‐ Both paddlers must be residents of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire County → ** Jr/Sr Class boats will have a designated staging area. See website (under "What's New") or the Registration Table for Start Time details. Official Use Only Paid: Bib #: Comments HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION or TIPS ON CANOE TRANSPORT by Steve Hamlin After a very short vacation the previous year, followed by an incredibly long and busy work-year, my wife Linda and I decided that we were going on a real holiday. So, in between crises, we discussed our options. We both had “mustdo” lists. Mine included as much cycling as possible, since I’d been able to find so little time for it in the preceding months. Linda’s included huge doses of relaxation and general stress-relief. High on both our lists was paddling. More than a year earlier, we had gotten a beautiful brand new Wenonah V-1A two man cruiser (Linda and I paddle with me in the stern, never having successfully adopted the recommended man-in-front seating). Its eighteen-and-a-half feet of pristine Kevlar glistened, as I brought it home from Joe Pitchko’s shop in Southampton. Linda and I took it out for its inaugural paddle on a sunny Sunday afternoon on Littleville Lake. We paddled it for a half hour or so, then brought it home, wrapped it in its protective cover, and parked it out of harm’s way. A year later, it was still parked there. So, we both independently determined that, wherever we went on vacation, we were going to give our new canoe a real shakedown. After some deliberation, we decided that Glimmerglass State Park on New York’s Otsego Lake had all the necessary requirements. There was peace, quiet, natural beauty, and a nearby beer store. Also, we knew that Otsego was the site of several races including the Glimmerglass Triathlon. Even though I had never been there before, I quickly figured out that where there’s a canoe triathlon, there’s going to be A: canoeing; and B: cycling. When departure day arrived, we loaded our van with all the appropriate stuff. Inside, we had the bicycles (road and mountain), the musical instruments, the paddles and life jackets, and enough clothes and personal effects for a small third-world village. With the inside of the van loaded so there was just enough room for Linda and me, I loaded the canoes on top and secured them. We hitched up our trusty old Cox tent trailer and we were ready. With my father and sister following in Dad’s car, we pointed the van west, and left. It was a sunny day with temperatures in the eighties, and we were finally on vacation. I cranked up the rock and roll and we began to get into the relaxation mode. Since you’ve probably already guessed where this is headed, I should give you some background. In my years of racing and other paddling experience, I’d logged at least hundreds of miles with canoe(s) secured to various vehicles with roughly the same methods. On this occasion, I chose bungee cords (in new condition) for the front rack and used a length of good polypropylene rope to tie the rear rack to both our new Wenonah and our old warhorse of a Wabash Valley Demeret. They were anchored to my oak racks on which I routinely carry loads of hardwood boards. In short, I was completely confident. When we got onto the Massachusetts Turnpike in Lee, out of the shelter of the trees along Route 20, we realized for the first time how gusty it was. Still, I had no worries. Traffic was heavy, but I was in no hurry, so I laid claim to the right lane and settled into a fifty-five mile an hour groove. As I drove, I could see the bows of both canoes poking out in front of the windshield. We had just passed the Lee Service Area when disaster struck with lightning speed. A gust of wind buffeted the canoes particularly... what? Strongly? I don’t really know, but one second there were two canoes, then, instantaneously there was only one. With that sickening certainty that the worst had happened, I looked in my side mirror and saw nothing but a line of traffic - the canoe was gone. As quickly as I could, I pulled off to the side of the road, fully expecting that our beautiful new canoe was somewhere back there being flattened by an endless procession of cruise-controlled zombies. I was only slightly comforted to find that it had whipped around a hundred and eighty degrees and come to rest on top of the tent trailer. As it was hurtling rearward, the rope that was tied around the canoes had been snapped tight tourniquet-style, crushing them both to the rear rack. At about one hundred degrees from its original position, the force had overwhelmed the clamp on the end of that rack, where all the action was, twisting it back. As I stood on the side of the road, commiserating with my traveling companions, and thinking it couldn’t get much worse, a man appeared on the opposite side of the van. After asking if we were alright, he calmly said that he was in the “other car”. Suddenly I realized I had been so preoccupied, I hadn’t thought about anyone that might have been in the left lane. I quickly recognized all the potential for destruction in an eighteen foot canoe sailing through the air at about sixty miles an hour in the wrong direction. Reassured by his calmness, Linda and I walked back to his car to exchange information. He and his family were just returning from their own vacation and you couldn’t ask for nicer people to collide with. Fortunately, the damage to their car, while undoubtedly expensive, was fairly slight. With some roadside blacksmithing, I was able to get the rear rack reattached to the van. I re-tied the trashed boats and we all continued on our way. With every gust of wind or passing tractor-trailer, the canoes, which now had the lateral stability of slightly under-done spaghetti, did a crazy hula dance that had our hearts in our throats. I pulled over within only a few miles to add a few “insurance” ropes. The canoes ended up looking like the loser in a Cub Scout log-lashing contest. Just before we reached the bridge spanning the Hudson River, I pulled over again. I was torn between tightening the restraints, and removing most of them, praying for a gust to blow both canoes into the river. In the end, I opted for tightening them, what with that old tradition of the captain going down with his ship. While checking the ropes, I noticed for the first time that the boat cover (that I had left on as “reinforcement”) had caught the wind and twisted keel ward, folding the bow (pointing towards the rear) almost ninety degrees. I pulled the cover back down, tucked it under what was left of the gunwales, and we departed for the bridge. I think Linda and I were equally blue in the face by the time we reached the far side of the bridge. Having made it with only a few heart spasms, we both let out our breath as we turned onto I-87 headed north. The traffic on 87 was noticeably heavier. I had been observing that as many cars passed, kids would point up at the canoes, dreadlocked teenagers would laugh, and people with bikes and canoes of their own just looked aghast. Once we got into the heavier traffic, it seemed that all the expensive cars were leaving a wide berth as they hurried past, but I’m sure I saw a malicious glint in the eyes of more than one tractor-trailer driver as they passed fast and close, sending the canoes into a wild shimmy. It was after a close encounter of the tractor-trailer kind, that I noticed if I looked in my side mirror at the right angle, I could see the rearward end of the Wenonah. When I did, I was disgusted to see it pointing not rearward, but towards the left lane. Grumbling (Linda claims I swore), I pulled over again. I found that the boat cover had once again twisted itself up around the middle of the canoe, bending the rail-less bow at a crazy angle to the keel. Having had enough, and resigned to the fact that there was nothing worth saving, I got a pair of shears from the back of the truck (you never know when you might need them) and surgically removed the cover. I pulled the sliced-up cover out from under the securing ropes while traffic whizzed by inches away, threw it and the shears in the back of the truck, saluted my father and sister, and pulled back onto the highway. The rest of the trip seemed interminable, but we were able to make it with no further calamities. I was never so glad to see any place as I was that state park. We all recovered from the trip to have a good time. I spent a good deal of time making up far-out explanations for the condition of the boats (experimental steerable model, folding model for plane travel, etc.). My father and I made frequent visits to the beer store, and Linda, my sister, and I, all rode our bikes. Later that same year, Schuyler Thompson, of Thompson Canoe Works in northwest Connecticut, delivered our vintage Old Town wood-canvas canoe, having completed repairs from our last disaster (a sixteen foot-tall stone wall fell on our backyard canoe rack). Surveying this most recent damage, Schuyler quipped that our “’miles per dollar’ costs were rather high”. The New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association is dedicated to advancing the sport of canoe and kayak racing for paddlers of all skill levels. ¥ NECKRA sponsors Flatwater and Whitewater races across New England for kayaks, canoes, and SUPs ¥ Our website has an extensive race calendar with detailed race information, classiÞeds, and more ¥ We publish The Competitive Paddler, a newsletter packed with race reports, training and nutrition tips ¥ NECKRA sponsors members of Team USA, as well as local youth paddling development programs JOIN US! learn more at www.neckra.org Knightville Package Store Linda's River Café 201 Worthington Rd., Huntington, MA Groceries • Ice • Propane Ice Cream• Soda • Beer • Wine Full Liquor Selection 413-667-3214 Good Luck Paddlers! “Diesel” Open 7 Days Mon-Fri 6am-7pm, Sat 7am-7pm Sun 8am-4pm breakfast all Day! Check out our Daily Specials! Good Luck Paddlers! 22 E. Main St., Huntington, MA 01050 (413) 667-3080 Hours: M-Sat. 6am-2pm; Sun 7am-2pm 1. Ad set-up copy as 2012, although just regular 1/8 page ad, not 8th Place Mixed Class sponsorship. LaND SURVEyOR / FORESTRy CONSULTaNT 2. Please remove Dogs Paddling Logo, and replace with pancakes clip art above. 3. Change “The River Café” to “Linda’s River Café” 4. Change “Come In and check out our Daily Specials!” to “Check out our Daily Specials!”, and : 5. Add: “Breakfast All Day!” Bold and Italicized where “Come in and” were removed above. 01034 • Boundary Line Delineation and Property Surveys • Subdivision of Land • Land Court • • • • Celebrating 13 Years under the Direction of Amy McGowan 6 Main Street, Huntington • 667-5117 Chap. 61 Forest Management Plans Woodland Appraisals and Timber Trespass Cases Timberstand Improvement Timber Harvesting Summer 2014 Arts Festival EventsCalendar: www.northhallhuntington.org Jacob’s ladder business association members support the Westfield river Whitewater races Navigators are trained by the MA Health Connector to help you access affordable health and dental insurance. Not sure if we can help you? Contact us for more information: 413-296-0200 FREE HELP! navigator@hchcweb.org www.hchcweb.org Help also available for SNAP applications! Cooper Excavating Blandford, Ma (413) 568-3164 We accept accept Visa Card~~Discover Discover ~ We Visa ~~ Master~ MasterCard ~ EDT EBT op One St ! ng Shoppi Beer • Wine • Liquor Fresh Cold Cuts & Deli Sandwiches Made To Order Lottery • ATM **Free Delivery within a 6 mile radius - if you order from the russell inn, your beer can be delivered with it** Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-9, Thurs 9:30-10, Fri-Sat 9:30-11, Sun 12-6 Free Delivery within a 6 mile radius - We Now Accept Credit Cards! Bicycles • Sales • Service • Rentals Serotta Certified Fit Specialist 55 Franklin Street, Westfield, MA 01085 413-562-5237 www.NewHorizonsBikes.com Sign up for Sam’s email newsletter at www.samsoutfitters.com Brattleboro & Keene Hours Mon-Tue. 9-6 Wed.-Fri 9-9 Sat 9-6•Sun 10-5 Hadley Store Hours: Mon-Sat. 10-9 Sun 10-6 Brattleboro • Hadley • Keene • 413-582-9820 cky’s RiPORTA-POTTYS 336 Papermill Road • Westfield, MA 01085 562-3800 or 1-800-408-0700 Portable Toilet Rentals Special Events Back Yard Parties Sporting Events Job Sites Fairs Regular Units Flushing Units Sink Units Handicapped Units Thank you for the opportunity to serve you with our “Personal Attention to Sanitation & Cleanliness” (formerly Smith’s Sled Shop) ROUTE 20, HUNTINGTON Your One Stop Shop for ALL your Automotive and Small Engine Repair needs. • Lawnmowers, Chainsaws, • Weedwhackers Lawnmowers,Chainsaws,and and everything moretunedupandrepaired else tuned up or repaired. • Doyouhaveanunfinished • Do you have some rust and musclecarrestorationproject dents that need to be for a withsomerustanddentsthat muscle car restoration project youneedfixed?Wecandoit! that you need finished? We have a full service auto body shop! GET READY FOR SPRING! STOP IN AND CHECK US OUT! 413-667-3645 Thank you for the opportunity to serve you with our “Personal Attention to Center City Service & Muffler 709 Russell Rd. (Rte. 20) Westfield 562-3944 Complete Auto Service & Diagnostics Alignments • Inspection Stickers Exhaust Specialists • Flatbed Towing THE PARTY PROFESSIONALS iNFLaTaBLE GaMES • COSTUME RENTaLS Jerome’s Tents • Tables • Chairs • Linen Dinnerware • Dance Floors Lighting • Concession Machines • Grills COMPLETE ONE-STOP PaRTy RETaiL & RENTaL CENTER www.jeromespartyplus.com 253 Union St., Westfield, MA 413-562-1777 Edmund Stasz 1921 – 2014 Additional Race memorabilia have been provided to Junior paddlers with funds received in the memory of Ed Stasz. The Race Committee and paddling community send condolences to the Stasz family. Caring for our Community is at the Heart of Our Mission Caring for our Community is at the Heart of Our Mission A Turley Publication www.turley.com Devoted to the Needs of the Hilltowns Becket Blandford Chester Chesterfield Cummington Goshen Huntington Middlefield Montgomery Otis Plainfield Russell Sandisfield Westhampton Willilamsburg Worthington 413-667-3211 • Fax 413-667-3011 Join us in supporting the Westfield River Whitewater Races. Join us in supporting the Westfield River Whitewater Races. 413-586-1300 or 800-644-8261 Member FDIC/Member DIF florencesavings.com 413-586-1300 or 800-644-8261 Member FDIC/Member DIF florencesavings.com SOUTHAMPTON BICYCLE CENTER 162 College Highway (across from Opa-Opa) Southampton, Ma 01073 Tel (413) 527-9784 (800) 527-9784 Email: joe@sohobikes.com We Make Biking Fun! Check our website for hours www.sohobikes.com Joe Pitchko, Owner 2014 Jurgen Igel Award Winner Neil Wheeler the Westfield river canoe club has selected neil Wheeler as the 2014 Jurgen g. igel award recipient. this award honors select individuals for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the 61 year tradition of the Westfield river canoe races. neil is a local who grew up on the Westfield river. he started racing in 1986 and has not missed a race in 28 consecutive years so far. he has completed 43 races and continues to race, most times competing in the novice and expert races. neil has enjoyed introducing new people to the race, having competed with 8 different partners over the years. there is little doubt that his favorite partner is his son travis. the 2 of them hold the record for most races with the same partner, having competed 20 times together. they are still paddling together as well as with other partners. neil started helping with race preparation in the early 90’s and he has been a staple of the set-up volunteer crew ever since. over the years he has delivered race programs to local businesses, helped clear portages and removed obstacles from the river, set-up and taken down tents, set finish line buoys, and even paddled a line across the river to pull the drums across above the second portage. neil has competed in numerous other races across the northeast but he will always say the Westfield is his favorite. the Westfield river canoe club is honored to present neil Wheeler with the 2014 Jurgen g. igel award. The Westfield River Canoe Club would like to thank the supporters and volunteers of the 2014 Westfield River Wildwater Races. Without you this would not be possible. Thank You! Westfield River Canoe Club, Inc. P.O. Box 117, Huntington, MA 01050