It was a great turnout at Nashua River Race in Groton, Ma. The Nashua River course is 9.69 miles laid out very nicely by Race Director Steve Miller. The venue is perfect with super easy access and parking at the Petapawag Boat Launch. A big shout out and Thanks to Steve and the volunteers. Steve thanked all the people that made it happen on the Paddler’s Connection email group quoted here:
“A race like this doesn’t happen without a lot of help. Andy Hall and Priscilla Reinertsen handled all of the registration. Paula Thiel helped me with race timing (any mistakes are mine). Many hands helped with set up and clean up. Others brought contributions for the post-race food table – thank you. Finally, I want to thank my wife Katherine for tolerating all my paddling and for putting together the food spread that everyone seemed to enjoy.”

Course

The course is made up of two 180 buoy turns(same buoy) very early in the race(approximately mile 1) and at the end of the race (approximately mile 8.5, as the river bends a few times before this turn.
We pass through one bridge just beyond the start line headed down river, then proceed without interruption for a few miles with the exception of a fallen tree that lays almost across the river. There was plenty of water and room to go over the tree with different lines to take.
It was easy to forget you were racing since it was so tranquil and beautiful on this Father’s Day with temperatures perfect for racing. Just after the 5 mile mark we turn on another bridge headed back up stream retracing our course through the start line, again to the 180 degree buoy turn and back to the start/finish line. Thanks to the race organizers for letting the surfskiers go off in the first heat for a clean few miles before the fast C2’s catch all but the top surfskiers at various point in the race. There was plenty of water with few weeds making it a fun course for surfskis, canoes, kayaks, and Sup’s.

Wesley, Chris, John

Racing

Nice to see Aiden Nolde, 19 years old place 1st. Here in New England, I don’t think I have ever seen a surfski racer this young. We need some youth injected into our sport. Aiden’s father, Adam placed 4th in the “Over 50 Unlimited Class”.  Congratulations to Aiden!  Chris Chappell place 2nd out sprinting John, and Pat in the last 50 yards.  Chris Chappell ,  John D. Mathieu , Pat Lizak, and Aiden, remained together the entire race only separating in the last closing half mile.  Good racing indeed!

Wesley, Chris

Stellar Eagle, Nelo 550, NK Nitro

I was behind the lead group by few minutes with Jaromir Slama , drafting me in his V8 showing his power until the turn bridge when the 4 hard charging C2’s caught Jaromir and I. I eased up not to interfere on the turn. Jaromir rode wash of the 3 lead C2’s while I rode the 4th C2 only 2 boat lengths behind. I was loving all the wash produced by four C2’s and happy I could ride side or stern wash breaking up the grind of pure flat water.  I rode wash to the 8.5 mile mark, when I got dropped. Jaromir pushed on until he got dropped with half mile to go. It was fun for me to watch the lead C2 guys, three abreast with one C2, 2 lengths behind. They look like they are working much harder than we are due to one blade
only.

Wesley, Jaromir

Betsy and Leslie

Leslie Berchtold Chappell came in 1st in the woman’s field. Again, thanks to all the organizers and volunteers. It was great to see Rob Flanagan, Sean Milano, Jim Tomes Mary Kay Ide Priscilla Reinertsen and more!

Long Course

C1 Men Over 50
1 Gen Matsui 1:38:27
2 Michael Melnikov 1:39:57
3 Dave Vandorpe 1:48:54
4 Bob Allen 1:51:22
5 Dave Dugas 1:54:12
6 Ray Thiel 2:01:48
DNF Jim Roberts DNF

C1 Women Over 50
1 Mary Kay Ide 2:13:25

C2 Men Under 50
1 Matt King Adam Gelinas 1:25:47
2 River Robertson Shane MacDowell 1:27:45

C2 Men Over 50
1 Brent Lyesiuk Del Cummings 1:25:54
2 Andy Hall Todd Johnson 1:26:35
3 Kevin Boss Nick Lyesiuk 1:28:42

C2 Mixed Under 50
1 Theo Kenyon Mary Hamilton 1:30:02

C2 Mixed Over 50
1 Ted Kenyon Gloria Wesley 1:28:25
2 Tim Garland Sandy Harris 1:29:02
3 Tim Allen Vicki Cummings 1:29:22
4 Priscilla Reinertsen Seth Miller 1:32:17
5 Pam Fitzgerald Scott Edwards 1:32:40
6 Lorraine Brisson Michael Fairchild 1:34:37
7 Pam Browning Balla Bob Balla 1:55:37 note: stock C2

C2 Women Under 50
1 Libby Poole Megan Stewart 2:00:18

SUP Men Under 50
1 Chris Proudlove 1:45:35
2 John Strehle 2:02:04
3 Orlando Sanchez II 2:06:26

Men Kayak/Surfski Under 50
1 Aidan Nolde 1:25:12
2 Pat Lizak 1:25:22

Men Kayak/Surfski Over 50
1 Chris Chappell 1:25:16
2 John Mathieu 1:26:19
3 Robert Flanagan 1:28:31
4 Adam Nolde 1:29:24
5 Wesley Echols 1:30:11
6 Wes Denering 1:33:35
7 Ted Van Dusen 1:38:54
8 Ed Dvorchak 1:44:44
9 Doug Waterman 1:47:50

Men Touring Kayak Under 50
1 Eran Tromer 1:38:15

Men Touring Kayak Over 50
1 Jaromir Slama 1:28:45
2 Jim Tomes 1:35:59
3 Sean Milano 1:36:09
4 John Hiebert 1:36:28
5 Chris Duguay 1:38:58
6 Roger Wilson 1:47:18
7 Jim Barrese 1:50:04

Women Surfski Kayak Over 50
1 Leslie Chappell 1:34:43

Women Touring Kayak Over 50
1 Beth Duguay 2:01:27

Short Course

SUP Men Under 50
1 Joseph Naputi 0:51:26
2 Mike Adams 0:56:55

SUP Men Over 50
1 Bob Fitzpatrick 0:54:18

C2 Mixed Under 50
1 Frances Hiscox Sophie Hiscox 1:08:42
2 Scott Ide Jura Ide 1:14:52

C2 Mixed Over 50
1 Deborah Roy Rick Roy

Next race Ride The Bull, June 21, Jamestown RI for a pure ocean rough water race.