Canoe and kayak paddlers race to promote sport and river
By Kyle Valentini
July 11, 2011
434
Summary: Canoe and kayak paddlers from all over Ohio and beyond took part in the first annual Tuscarawas River Race held Saturday, July 10 at the Canal Street boat landing near downtown Dover. Organizers were pleased with the larger than expected turnout for the race that was held to promote the sport and the scenic river.
The United States Canoe Association in cooperation with the Dover Boat and Ski Club held a canoe and kayak race on the Tuscarawas River Saturday, July 10.
The race was open to paddlers of all skill levels from hard core racers to those just wanting to have fun on the river. Racers in several classes launched from the boat ramp at Canal Street near downtown Dover.
Attendance was higher than expected at the first annual race coordinated by Mary Jo Monte, an award winning paddler that got interested in the sport after having a hip replacement. I was a cyclist. I didnt race competitively but it was how I exercised. I needed to find something else to do after my hip replacement and a friend introduced me to paddling, said Monte. Monte has been paddling for twelve years.
61 participants from as far away as Pittsburgh and Cincinnati paddled their way upstream and back in a 5 mile or 12 mile race with a total of 53 boats on the water. A shorter race was held for kids later in the day.
Linda and Keith Collins of Dundee are considered hard core racers. They were excited about Saturdays race. We have this beautiful river and the city does little to promote it. This race is great because it not only promotes the sport but the river that is available for everyone to enjoy, said Linda Collins. There is so much to enjoy on the river. There is wildlife you might never see from shore. There are eagles, deer, osprey, its all right here!
The Collins placed third in the mixed Canoe-2 class with a time of 2:20.44.
Sydney Warther of Dover was one of the younger racers at the event. My mom bought my dad a kayak for Christmas. I tried it and enjoyed it, said Warther. She was a natural. It was amazing how well she did that first time in the water, said Sydneys dad, Dan Warther. We bought a second kayak and Sydneys been paddling since about June, said Warther.
Sydney placed first in the 13 and under Kayak-1 class for girls with a completion time of 10:10 in the 6/10 of a mile race.
Elizabeth Krahel of New Philadelphia was racing for the first time in a kayak her husband, Cameron purchased for her as a gift for her thirtieth birthday last spring. Ive been going to Leesville Lake a lot, said Krahel. I take the dog and she collects sticks in the water while I paddle. Im not expecting to win today. I just want to be out on the water. This is my first time on the river.
Krahel took second place in the womens Kayak-1 class 5 mile race with a time of 1:25.49.
Participants received a T-shirt and refreshments. New Philadelphia resident, Allen Bradshaw made the trophies for the event. Winners were presented with the charming, wood trophies in the shape of a canoe after the races.
Results for the races were as follows:
5-Mile Races
Mens Kayak-1 Long (consisting of boats 146 and longer)
1. Tim Gary, Kingsville, 1:00.00
2. Jeff Pietro, Dover, 1:02.52
3. Jerry Johnson, Dover, 1:06.26
Mens Kayak-1 Short (consisting of boats under 146)
1. Jake Jones, Boardman, 59:45
2. Adam Wilson, Dover, 1:00.45
3. John Kelly, New Philadelphia, 1:07.15
Womens Kayak-1 Short
1. Debra Witowski, New Brighton, Pa., 1:10.42
2. Elizabeth Krahel, New Philadelphia, 1:25.49
3. Genny Beatty, Dover, 1:27.52
Mixed Kayak-2
1. Mark & Brenda Luikart, New Philadelphia, 1:24.04
Womens Canoe-1
1. Marilyn Heid, Columbus, 1:24.55
Mixed Canoe-2: Recreation
1. Stephen & Harriett Sabo, New Philadelphia, 1:26.54
Canoe-2 Recreation Over/Under (a team consisting of adult with child under 16)
1.Dan & Tim Smallwood, Cadiz, 1:19.25
Youth Races (6/10 mile)
Boys Canoe-1
1. Travis Mecklenburg, 8, Columbus, 8:55
Boys Kayak-1
1.Tyree Wilson, 9, Dover, 10:08
Girls Kayak-1
1. Sydney Warther, 10, Dover, 10:10
2. Shannon Kelly, 12, New Philadelphia, 10:18
12-Mile Races
Mens Kayak-1 Open
1. Joe White, Sheffield Lake, 1:56.45
2. Doug King, Milford, 1:57.33
3. Jake Rabatin, Montville, 1:58.52
Mens Kayak-1 Long
1. Bruce Wierzbicki, Senecaville, 2:41.35
2. Larry Howald, New Concord, 2:57.45
Womens Kayak-1
1. Jeannette Wierzbicki, Senecaville, 2:58.25
Mens Canoe-1
1. Dan Mecklenburg, Columbus, 1:58.52
2. Skip Conant, Avon, 2:02.12;3. Bill Terbush, Westerville, 2:04.28
Canoe-2 Mixed Open
1. Bill & Debbie Kostra, Transfer, Pa., 2:05.16
2. Joe & Ann Krizman, Madison, 2:05.38
3. Keith & Linda Collins, Dundee, 2:20.44
Canoe-2 Mens Open
1. Norm Skinner & Gary Myers, Dresden, 2:28.55
