Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race News + Updates

The Devil's Tongue

2011-04-21T00:17:00.000-04:00

Writing in my blog a few days before the race, I referred to the wave train following the Shopping Cart as "The Devil's Tongue". How true that was this year. Hope the name catches on. ;)

2011 Race Photos Are Out

2011-04-18T00:48:00.013-04:00

My photos for the 2011 Kenduskeag are now online.
Check out the galleries here.

* * *

In addition, many photographers have posted their own shots from the race (and at different locations). Here are links to their galleries:

Maine Sports Report Photography - Melissa Howes

Six Mile Falls, Set A - Michael Murphy

Six Mile Falls, Set B - Jennifer Murphy

Six Mile Falls Flickr set - Jeff Kirlin

Kenduskeag 2011 collection - Kate Crabtree Photography

Flickr Set by Mike Kosciusko

Cover This Photography (A Facebook set)

Moments In Life Photography - Terri Robichaud (Six Mile Falls)

Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Photos (Michelle Barker)

Six Mile Falls - Bryce Royal Photography

Rabbibob Flickr Photos

Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - Danny Wentworth (Facebook set)

2011 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - Justin Russell

2011 Race Results Are Out

2011-04-18T00:45:00.000-04:00

Bangor Parks & Recreation released the 2011 results (by class) for the Kenduskeag. You may download the PDF file here!

Lost & Found Box 2011

2011-04-16T01:11:00.002-04:00

If you have lost something during the Kenduskeag this year, or if you have found something, this is a way to connect! Please leave your comments here.

Many people over the years have helped each other out through this Lost & Found Box.

Thank you for being good humans.

- Mike

Stream Report 2011: Watching The River Flow

2011-04-13T23:17:00.034-04:00

Kudos to anyone who caught the Bob Dylan reference in the title of this blog entry. (Last year it was Creedence Clearwater Revival.)

So here we are again, two middle-aged dudes (but young at heart!) taking a stroll along the Kenduskeag Stream ahead of the big race on Saturday.

I'm referring, of course, to myself and my friend Christopher D'Amico, a twenty-year (plus?) veteran of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. I learn something new every time I see Chris, whether it has to do with paddling or something completely unrelated, and our "stream scouting" (which has become a tradition) is something I look forward to every April.

In the 2010 stream report, which you may check out here, I mentioned that the stream was "bony" and "mellow" and "low" and that the race looked to be "a slog". The Bangor Daily News would go on to characterize that race in much the same way. And for good reason.

The 2010 race really was low and slow. Mind you, people still had a good time on the stream that day, but many were sort of nonplussed to find themselves coloring the rocks of the stream with their red, green, orange and blue watercraft.

I really don't think we are in for a repeat of the 2010 rock garden. Not even close. The water depth at Six Mile Falls (at the time of this writing) is just over 7 feet. Ray Wirth of Water Walker Kayaks reminds me that the stream was around 4.4 feet at this time last year. And it's been raining all day today, so that may only add to the overall stream level come Saturday. We'll see.

The overall flow of the water impressed us this time around too; that could only be said about certain spots along the stream last year; overall it was like molasses. This year the stream has a little more "giddy up and go" to it.

* * *

If you are new to these "stream reports", we start closer to town (Bangor) and work our way UPSTREAM. As a paddler, you'll approach these places DOWNSTREAM. So the order is reversed here. Hey, that's how we roll. Don't ask me why.

* * *

Let's start with an area invariably referred to as "Shopping Cart" or "Washing Machine" or "Thunder Hole". (That last one is a shout out to my Canadian friends in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.)

This area had a nice, zippy current and a decent wave train. (I think the name that I came up with for the wave train following the rapids was "The Devil's Tongue".) Keep your paddle in the water here. As longtime paddler Clayton Cole once told me, "you must paddle with AUTHORITY in whitewater." In other words, work that paddle when things get intense! Keep it in the water. Grabbing the gunwales and bracing for the worst while hoping for the best is a normal human reaction. You may have to fight your natural instincts here.

Anyway. It is very common for people to stick to river right and hug the rocks alongside the rapids at this spot, but heck...we think a paddler could actually clear the rapids on river left if the paddler can manage to get over to the left hand side of the stream without being drawn into the middle of the drop. Normally it's too bony on river left to make this sort of move, but if the water levels hold up we imagine it will be doable!

Alrighty - moving further upstream, we come to another spot along the Kenduskeag which often throws paddlers for a loop. There's a good reason for that: a sneaky set of rapids will greet you just after you put in at the (mandatory) Maxfield Mill portage.

A lot of paddlers have told me that this spot gave them trouble because a) they were tired after all of that paddling and b) they were sort of lulled into a false sense of security after completing the portage, where the water starts off calmly enough. The stream seems so innocent. But not for long, baby!

Because of a rock ledge (think of it as a wall), you are sort of forced to go through a narrow channel and it can be sporty! So be prepared for this little stinger once you've shoved off from the Maxfield portage point. Further downstream you'll run into the Shopping Cart/Washing Machine/Thunder Hole rapids.

Here's a shot of the put-in after the Maxfield Mill portage. Notice how serene it appears? (Lover's Leap is in the backdrop).

And here's a shot of the Maxfield Mill take out, which looks good. There's a nice big pool-like eddy on river right which will allow paddlers to "park" if there is a queue for the portage.

Sweet.

Below is a shot (further upstream along Valley Avenue) of the Flour Mill rapids. Don't worry - this is a mandatory portage and you won't go through this. (Unless you really weren't paying attention while cruising down the stream!) No, this area will be marked and there's usually a person there to make sure you know that it's time to pull out and portage. Just wanted to show you the rapids so you'd have an idea as to the stream level this year:

Chris and I met two fun-loving young women at the Flour Mill Dam who are going to do the race for the first time this year. They mentioned that they might have SpongeBob Squarepants as their boat mascot. So if you happen to spot these lovelies somewhere along the Kenduskeag, give them a shout of encouragement!

And I would be remiss if I didn't post yet another shot of the sluice pipe at the Flour Mill Dam. I take a shot of this every year; I suppose it's because of my fascination with the fact that in the earliest years of this race - the late 1960s and early 70s - certain paddlers actually shot through this drainage pipe rather than portage the rapids! They were an adventurous lot. (And no, do not even THINK of attempting this; it's roped off anyway.)

And here is a shot of the take-out area at the Flour Mill. It's mellow here; you shouldn't have any problem pulling into this spot to portage around the Flour Mill area.

So now we're going to jump up to Six Mile Falls, one of the most notorious spots on the Kenduskeag. This is where a sizeable portion of "river vultures" will gather to see if you can shoot the rapids or go "ass over teakettle". No worries, though. There are LOTS of rescue people at this spot and they do a great job. You will be safe!

This spot is where many of the river vultures will gather. Note that the "vulture meadow" is a tad flooded this year. Not too bad though - I've seen it worse going both ways.

On the bridge overlooking this scene, WABI TV5 will have their cameras running from 10am to about noon, so if you come through Six Mile Falls within that time frame be sure to smile for the viewing audience! (Dumping at Six Mile Falls will virtually ensure your appearance on television.)

We noticed that there are options when approaching Six Mile Falls. Some years there are more, some years there are less. This year, you can approach from river center or river left. If you are going to shoot the "jaws" (or middle channel) of the rapids, the idea is to line up your boat to ensure a straight shot. You will approach the jaws at an angle. But not too much of an angle or you'll tumble.

This is one of those things which is frustrating for me to describe in words, so I'm going to post a video update to this blog entry on Friday night. Check back at that time to see some examples of how people are shooting Six Mile Falls. The visual demonstration will be much more effective than anything I can write.

And I would strongly encourage you to scout the areas I've touched upon in this blog entry if you have the time. You'll have company - lots of paddlers will be checking things out on Friday afternoon and evening. You might even see me out there.

In conclusion, I thought the rapids looked "peppy" and "sporty" and even the flatwater had a decent current, certainly when compared to last year - and this is something just about everyone will appreciate. And I suppose that summarizes my initial reaction to this stroll along the stream (as well as that of Chris): we think this will be a fun race for just about everyone. Kayakers will have a blast on certain areas in particular.

Here's Chris' take (which he posted on the Kenduskeag Stream Facebook Page):

Mike and I reconned the stream Tuesday, like we always do. The water is just off high water, in my opinion. Pretty quick water, lots of choices to negotiate Six Mile Falls; sluice is wicked powerful; lots of snags, in the sluice and just upstream of the Jaws; no hydraulics at Washing Machine. But, it can change by Saturday. I think people who suffered last year will be pleased this year. Newbies should have lots of encouragement to participate and sacrifice themselves (instead of us) to the River Gods!

* * * *

Occupational Hazards

2011-04-09T19:22:00.011-04:00

So I had a good time at the Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race today, snapping photos of all the paddlers who had a rather tough time negotiating a tricky (but fun) set of rapids.

There's always an element of risk involved whenever a photographer brings expensive camera gear close to a body of water. A paddler cruised by and carelessly threw a gallon or more of water all over me and my camera rig while bailing his canoe. As a result, my 300mm telephoto lens isn't working, and it will have to be sent to Nikon for repairs.

(The photo above is of my actual camera rig by the stream - I took this snapshot just minutes before being completely doused.)

It was a honest mistake, of course. The paddler didn't even see me and so he has no idea that he totally ruined my day. And I should have placed some sort of protection over my lens to make it a bit more waterproof. I know better, but oh well. Live and learn.

By the way, check out my website for Maine whitewater races, MaineCanoeRaces.com, and you'll find photo galleries from these whitewater events leading up to the Kenduskeag!

WABI-TV Bangor To Cover Kenduskeag

2011-04-03T23:10:00.006-04:00

WABI-TV in Bangor (CBS, Channel 5) will broadcast the 2011 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race on April 16th.

Programming times and notes will be added here as they become available.

Water Gauge And Stream Levels

2011-03-30T22:14:00.007-04:00

We've seen a fair amount of snow here in Maine this winter (and we may be due for even more this Saturday - yep, it almost always snows in April here!)

It is difficult to say how this will affect stream levels for this year's Kenduskeag. I usually do not bother to check on the stream conditions until a few days just before the race. To do so now would be pointless as the water levels change from day to day, let alone week to week.

There is a water gauge at Six Mile Falls, however. The USGS installed a new water gauge last year (the old water gauge had been deactivated for many years due to budget constraints). You may view the data online on this USGS water gauge page for the Kenduskeag.

Heavy rains just ahead of the race always seem to help; we'll see how things are shaping up in about 12 days, when I post the walking tour "stream report".

Maine Whitewater #2: Passy River Race

2011-03-30T22:03:00.006-04:00

The Passy River Race is scheduled for this Saturday, April 2nd, at 11am.

And so is an early April nor'easterner! Good thing I didn't put my snowplow into storage; we could see several inches of snow or rain (or both) on Saturday morning. It won't stop a bunch of people from having a good time on the water, however.

The Passy is hosted by the Waldo County YMCA, where you can find more information. But here's the rundown:

Passy River Race 2011

Time:
11am start

Place:
Savage Road, Littlefield Farm in Waldo, Maine (outside of Belfast)

Course:
Course: Race starts at the Littlefield Farm. The first mile is flatwater with many curves. Course passes under a cement bridge to another mile of flat water followed by a short stretch of Class II rapids. A two-mile stretch of flat water to the Rolerson’s bridge, then Class I, II and III whitewater for a mile and a half, leading to a flatwater stretch to the finish.

Registration:
Call (207) 338-4598 to register, or stop by the Waldo County YMCA. Cost per paddler is $20, first 180 registrants will receive a t-shirt. Register for the race and be entered in a drawing for a brand new Old Town canoe!

Maine Whitewater #1: St. George River Race

2011-03-21T17:56:00.011-04:00

UPDATE:Race results from the St. George may be viewed here.

The 2011 Maine whitewater season is upon us. Woo-hoo!

The St. George River Race kicks things off this Saturday, March 26th, at 11am.

The St. George is one of two races hosted by the Waldo County YMCA, where you can find more information. But here's the rundown:

St. George River Race 2011

Time:
11am start

Place:
Searsmont, Maine (Rt. 131 bridge)

Course:
Course: Race starts at St. George Bridge in Searsmont Village. Three miles of dead water, 1 mile of rapids, 2 miles of dead water and curves with one Class III drop. This race has Class II – III rapids (plus or minus depending on the water level.)

Registration:
Call (207) 338-4598 to register, or stop by the Waldo County YMCA. Cost per paddler is $20, first 180 registrants will receive a t-shirt. There will also be a drawing for a brand new Old Town canoe!

Paddle Smart 2011

2011-03-14T10:47:00.010-04:00

It's that time of the year again!

The 2011 Paddle Smart Symposium (always fun and interesting) will be held this upcoming weekend, Saturday AND Sunday, at the Bangor Auditorium.

This is a change of venue for Paddle Smart; it is going to be held in conjunction with the Bangor Boat Show. So now you have TWO good reasons to attend!

MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization) will host a "Prep For The Kenduskeag" workshop once again, on Saturday from 1-3pm. If you'd like to have some tips from race veterans with regard to outfitting your boat or general questions about getting ready for the race, you'll want to sit in on this popular discussion!

Unfortunately I will miss out on Paddle Smart this year as I will be out of town this weekend. Bummer! I think one must be present at the drawing to win the sea kayak, but I plan to buy a couple of tickets to show a little support for the venue anyway.

Full schedule and info is available via Castine Kayak.

2011 Registration Form Now Available

2011-02-15T11:36:00.009-05:00

This blog is officially out of hibernation for the 2011 race season!

Bangor Parks & Recreation released the registration form for the 2011 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.

You may download it here.

Preregistering for the race saves you time and money. The next race will be held on Saturday, April 16th.

This is the 45th year of the Kenduskeag. Hope to see you there!

ZZZZZ...

2010-04-21T14:22:00.017-04:00

The puppy is going back into hibernation until February 2011.

Normally I shutter up the blog in May, but I'm getting an early start this year because Bangor Parks & Recreation has already released the 2010 race results.

Couple of notes before I cast off:

Prints & photos can be purchased from my website year round. Visit my Kenduskeag race photo galleries anytime!

There were many other photographers "working" the race this year and I think that's great. It gives the paddlers many more choices. In my particular case, it's the print sales which keep the Kenduskeag website running, so I appreciate your support!

The Facebook page for the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race was a resounding success. As of this writing, over 950 people became "fans" of the page. Thanks to everyone who posted pictures, videos, comments and questions.

Check out the other canoe & kayak races in Maine on the MaCKRO website. I plan to participate in some of these races throughout the summer (in addition to all of the recreational tripping I do on rivers and lakes).

Hope to see you next year. Until then, keep your paddle in the water!

- Michael Alden

To Darren Gray in Moncton, NB: the sleeping pup will wake up again before you know it.

2010 Race Results Are Now Available!

2010-04-20T18:28:00.006-04:00

Wow!
That was fast. Bangor Parks & Recreation released the full results of the 2010 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race earlier today.

Download the 2010 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Results (pdf file).

(Thanks to Ray Wirth of Water Walker Kayaks in Belfast for the heads-up on this, and thanks also to Bangor Parks & Rec!)

2010 Canoe Race Photos Are Now Online!

2010-04-18T19:02:00.000-04:00

The 2010 photo galleries are now up and running!

Once again, I set up at the Shopping Cart rapids this year. While I can't say I captured every single person in the race, I gave it the old college try.

Go to the Race Photos page on my website to check out the new shots!

And by the way, the print sales keep the Kenduskeag website up and running, so thank you for your support!

- Michael Alden

Lost & Found Box

2010-04-17T07:57:00.000-04:00

Whether you lost something at the race or found something at the race, post your comments here!

To those of you who have lost something, I hope you are able to retrieve it. Best of luck to you.

To those of you who have found something and are making an effort to track down the owner(s), thank you. You're a good person!

What NOT To Bring?

2010-04-16T09:57:00.008-04:00

As a general rule of thumb, it's a good idea to leave behind anything you can't afford to lose if you're doing the race. Actually, I think this applies to boating in general.

Car keys and wallets are a biggie. Might want to leave those with a friend or someone you can trust ahead of the race for pickup later. Replacing the contents of your wallet is a mega-bummer. I've been there. And car keys? Well...how will you get home? Oh, a taxi. Great, but if you've also lost your wallet, you can't pay for one.

Cell phones and cameras are items many boaters like to bring along with them (myself included!) but if you don't need them, don't bring them. I know, you're probably going to bring them along anyway. Let's be practical about this!

If you must bring them you can at least take a few precautions. I use Pelican hard shell cases (see photo above) for cell phones and small digital cameras. They're great! Waterproof down to several feet and you have that hard plastic shell with the sponge foam lining inside for extra padding. Do I sound like an ad here? Sorry. It's just that I really like these things. I've seen them in various sporting goods stores.

Cost is between $12 and $30 depending on how large a case you buy, but it's worth it considering you often have hundreds of dollars invested in your electronics. There are cheaper solutions. Mini dry bags, for example, run about $10 a pop. They don't offer the same protection from bumps and bruises, but they are waterproof - or at least water resistant - and that might be all you need. Then there's the good ol' Ziploc bag. Well, it might work. Good luck with that...

Keep in mind, there's an odd chance you can lose your expensive goods whether they are protected or not! So that takes us back to the general rule of thumb: if you can't afford to lose it, don't bring it along in the first place.

Rollin' On The River: Stream Report 2010

2010-04-14T10:06:00.036-04:00

UPDATE 4/16: Well, a lot can happen in 72 hours! The stream has dropped almost a foot since I filed this blog entry. It's even "bonier" than I described earlier, and the rapids aren't as forceful now either. There will be some bumps and scrapes this year, and the race looks to be a slog. But for many people, it will be fun race no matter what.
- M.

My Bell solo canoe awaits the water. Needs a bit of outfitting first...

TUESDAY, APRIL 13th, 2010

What a beautiful day to stroll along sections of the Kenduskeag Stream. As in years past, I went to scout out the Kenduskeag with veteran racer Chris D'Amico, who is about to participate in his twenty first Kenduskeag. So if you were born around the time Chris first did the race, you're almost old enough to drink a celebratory beer after a day of paddling. Just saying.

It was a nice, uneventful walk although I managed to get a mild sunburn after it was all said and done. Oh, and we found a deer tick hitching a ride with one of us after shuffling around Six Mile Falls. So you might want to watch out for that - they're out there!

The stream is on the lower, mellower side and at the same time the stream is not too "pushy".

What does this mean? Read on...

We like to start at the Shopping Cart area (the rapids closer to downtown Bangor) and work our way upstream. The water levels seemed about the same as in 2009, although last year the Shopping Cart rapids seemed a bit "tame", whereas this year that section of rapids seems "snappy". There's more force going through that ledge notch, along with a pretty good section of standing waves following.

Keep in mind that these photos do not really give you the full effect of the rapids in terms of size and swiftness. I shot these pics with a relatively wideangle lens, and the perspective sort of flattens things out in such a way as to make the rapids seem almost unimpressive. These rapids are respectable, so don't let these pics fool you!

Certainly the wave train following the drop at Shopping Cart seemed pretty respectable. Paddlers should have some fun negotiating those standing waves! But this is par for the course at the Shopping Cart, really.

Here's another downstream view of the wave train (or "tongue", as I call it) to give you a bit more of an idea. Looks like 40-odd feet of bad road!

One of the interesting things about the Shopping Cart is how benign it appears when viewed from further upstream. We walked upstream and turned around to look back at the Shopping Cart drop, and it virtually disappears:

I had to point out where the Shopping Cart Hole is in this particular photo, because you literally can't see it when you are approaching it in your boat. Little wonder that this area catches so many people by surprise. It's definitely a "gotcha!" section of the Kenduskeag.

So how will you know you're getting close to the rapids if you can't see them coming? Look for river vultures (spectators) on river right! They'll be hovering around the boulders in front of what appears to be a flat space on the stream, but there's a reason they've gathered in that seemingly unimpressive area. You can't see the drop until you're almost on top of it. Just a heads up!

Upstream from the Shopping Cart is an area we call the Washing Machine. It's basically that first set of rapids you encounter in the bend of the stream after you've portaged around the Maxfield Mill area, near Lovers Leap, where you cross the road with your boat. The Washing Machine causes problems for some paddlers - these rapids will wake you up with a little taste of what lies ahead at the Shopping Cart.

Side note: a free paddling clinic will be held on the Kenduskeag on Thursday, April 15th at 4pm. Hosted by the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO), this clinic will begin at Six Mile Falls and end downtown. Shuttles will be available for you and your boat. If you'd like to preview these tricky areas at your own pace and and your own comfort level with experienced paddlers, I highly encourage you to try to take advantage of this opportunity! Meet up at the parking lot alongside the Kenduskeag Stream just up from the Mill St. bridge (Harlow St.) The parking lot will be on your right. You can't miss it; there will be other cars with boats already there. You may have to fill out an ACA waiver form (with which there is a $5 fee per paddler) but the clinic itself is free and open to the public.

Abandon hope, all ye who enter Shopping Cart Alley! Just kidding. Weird tree trunk, huh?

Moving right along. Now we'll take a quick look at the Flour Mill Dam area (a mandatory portage) before heading to Six Mile Falls:

Looking at the picture above (the remnants of the Flour Mill Dam) - wouldn't it be nifty to be able to take a shortcut through that sluice tunnel if the water was just a bit higher on the exit? Well, that's just what some of the racers did in the earliest years of the Kenduskeag! In the late 1960s this tunnel was an alternative portage. Alas, it isn't nowadays. But you probably wouldn't want to break the back of your boat trying it anyway.

Walking further upstream, this is the take out area ahead of the Flour Mill Dam, and as I mentioned earlier this is a mandatory portage. It will be marked and flagged and a rescue person will be on hand to make sure you pull out. As you can see, the water is sedate. This photo is virtually identical to the shot I took in the same spot in 2009.

And now we move on to big, bad Six Mile Falls. The favorite stomping ground of media trucks and river vultures. Guess what? The report I wrote up last year mostly applies this year as well.

So rather than reinvent the wheel here, I'm tempted to say that you could direct your attention to the stream report of 2009 (see the archive links to the right. look under April 2009). But there is one notable difference: the options for lining up are a little bonier this year and some areas are blocked by dead trees and other wooded debris.

Lots of "stairstep" ledges will make things a little trickier (at least for canoes) on the approach to Six Mile Falls this year. It seemed to Chris D. that the best approaches might be from river left, which is fairly typical if the water is high enough.

When we looked at the area, the water was doable. But given a few days of water levels dropping off, what will it look like come Saturday morning? You'll have to check it out for yourself (always a good idea anyway) or ask around to find out. Some people wait until the eve of the race to scout out the stream for that very reason.

Here's the photo map overview of Six Mile Falls I posted last year:

So what's the big difference this year? You can pretty much take out that middle arrow, for one thing. We found that between the ledges and the downed trees, the middle approach to the falls would be virtually impossible. We've never seen so much piled up crap ahead of the falls. It almost looked like some Godzilla-sized beaver built a dam in the area.

Going river left and then either setting up in front of the "jaws" of the falls (the chute area) is one option. Another would be to try river right, hitting that horseshoe-shaped sluice and spilling out in front of the weedy "red willow island" just ahead of the falls.

Dick Hanson, Earl Baldwin and Chris D'Amico "strategizing" at Six Mile Falls

Overlooking the "stairstep" action ahead of Six Mile Falls, Chris D. thought that kayakers might have an easier time taking a centerline approach to the falls than the open boaters, but even a couple of seasoned kayakers we spoke with on site felt that they would likely approach the falls from river left or right, and not through the center. For what it's worth.

The US Geological Survey installed a brand new water gauge at Six Mile Falls back in January. This gauge measures the depth of the water (among other things). Interpreting the data is another matter, but several people who live near the stream have told me that in their experience, anything below four feet (in terms of depth) translates to "rock garden" paddling. As of this writing, the stream has a recorded depth of a little under five feet at the Six Mile Falls station.

Check out the realtime date online on the USGS water gauge page. Also, note that while the cfs (cubic feet per second) data isn't yet available, I'm told that it might be added in the near future.

One of the things that kept cropping up while Chris D. and I scouted the stream was the term "pushy water". Newbies should be pleased to note that the stream isn't too "pushy" this year. The water isn't high enough or swift enough to hurtle you towards a tricky situation without giving you at least some opportunity to prepare.

What this means is that you can take a moment in the calmer eddies and pools to choose your lines, prep your paddling partner(s) if you aren't going solo, and orient your boat the way you want to before taking the plunge, so to speak. It was a much different picture in 2007 and even in 2008, when paddlers were rushed into situation after situation.

In closing, scout out these areas for yourself ahead of the race, and do keep in mind the MaCKRO paddling clinic on Thursday if you feel you need some pointers or some confidence-building skills. That's what it's there for, and the experienced paddlers at MaCKRO are glad to help.

Have a safe and enjoyable race.
And remember, keep your paddle in the water!
- Mike

Compiled by Christopher D'Amico and Mike Alden.
Thanks also to D. Hanson and E. Baldwin

PS - here are a few snapshots of some concrete canoe remains near Six Mile Falls. The engineering department at UMaine would hold student competitions to see which team could build (and race) the lightest concrete canoe. Looks like these particular boats made it as far down the stream as Six Mile Falls before wrecking on the "shoals".

2010 Stream Report - Coming Soon

2010-04-12T14:06:00.004-04:00

I should have the full stream report for 2010 posted here by tomorrow evening. Look for thoughts on water levels, possible lines of approach to some of the trickier areas, and more.

Also, if you're a beginner at paddling or if this is your first ever canoe race, there will be a free paddling "clinic" held on the Kenduskeag this Thursday at 4pm.

You'll start at Six Mile Falls and head to town from there (no need to paddle the first 10 miles of the race as it is mostly flatwater).

This is a very nice arrangement offered by the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO). Paddle at your own pace and at your own comfort level alongside veteran paddlers who really know their stuff. Ask questions! It's all about making you feel safe and confident on the water so that you can learn to make the right choices while enjoying the race.

Shuttles for you and your boat will be provided; I will post more details about all of this (along with the stream report) tomorrow!

The Sou & The Marsh

2010-04-11T23:19:00.003-04:00

Maine's Whitewater Weekend was a blast (as it always is). Cloudy skies and cooler temperatures didn't deter these hardy paddlers. (Or is it 'hearty'? I was never clear about this, and a Google search for the correct usage is of no help because other people seem to be equally perplexed....)

Souadabsook Stream Canoe Race
Held in Hampden, this is often a wild and woolly ride! The stream seemed to be at a nice level this year. Last year, it was a bit too much, and many people portaged the trickier areas. But not so this year - people seemed to take glee in "tackling" the tricky areas and it looked like a good time was had by all.
65 registrations this year at the Sou, according to this Bangor Daily News article.

* * * *

Marsh Stream Canoe Race
Why this particular race isn't 10x more popular than it is, I'll never know! I really enjoy watching this particular race, so I'll have to get out the boat and take a shot at it next time around.

The Marsh is one of those "dark horse" whitewater river races - it seems to slip under the radar for whatever reason. I don't know if this is because it falls on a Sunday (although there's a generous 1:30pm start time) or of it's because the race falls on the heels of the Souadabscook in Hampden. Back-to-back races aren't for everybody, and some people have to choose one race over another when they schedule their weekends.

All I can say is that if any of you whitewater enthusiasts out there haven't heard much about this race before, take a closer look next time. The whitewater "season" in Maine is short enough as it is; don't let these well-directed races fall by the wayside. This race is too good for that.

Kudos to the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society for safety work on this race - these folks really have their act together! I'm going to become a member of PP&CS.

Here's a crib sheet for future reference. The exact dates will vary, but the spring whitewater race schedule (ahead of the Kenduskeag) is usually as follows:

Last Saturday of March - St. George River Race, Searsmont
First Saturday of April - Passy River Race, Belfast
2nd weekend of April - Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race, Hampden
2nd weekend of April - Marsh Stream Canoe Race, Winterport
3rd Saturday of April - Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race

PS - I've posted my pics of both the Souadabscook Stream Canoe race here, and the Marsh Stream Canoe race here. Hope you enjoy them!

Maine Whitewater Weekend!

2010-04-08T08:36:00.005-04:00

Two exciting races this weekend! Thanks to the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Association (MaCKRO) for the following information.

I'm going to be at both races, should be a blast!

* * *

Saturday, April 10th: Souadabscook Stream Sprint & Race, Hampden
(HELMETS REQUIRED)
8:00am - Sprint and Short Course Registration, Grange Hall, Emerson Mill Rd
9:00am - Sprint Start—Manning Mill Rd bridge (finishes at Paper Mill Rd bridge)
10:00am - Short Course Start—The start will occur immediately following the
conclusion of the Sprints. Recreation area below the falls off the Paper
Mill Rd (finishes at the Hampden Water Works on Main Rd/Rte. 1A)
11:00am - Downriver Race Registration—Vafiades’ Landing, Bog Rd
12:00pm - DR Race Start—Vafiades’ Landing, Bog Rd
(finishes at the Hampden Water Works on Main Rd/Rte 1A)

Awards for all races at the Water Works following the conclusion of the DR race.

* * *

Sunday, April 11th - Marsh Stream Canoe & Kayak Race, Winterport
(HELMETS REQUIRED)
10:00am - Sprint Registration—Winterport Riverside Riders Snowmobile Club, Pine View Drive (at the intersection of Stream Rd and Rte. 139)
11:00am - Sprint Start—Launch at Pine View Dr and drift downstream to the start (finishes immediately below Roadside Drop on Stream Rd)
12:00pm - Short Course and DR race Registration—at the Loggin Rd bridge
1:30pm Short Course and DR race start at the Loggin Rd bridge (short course finishes at the railroad trestle on Stream Rd.
DR race course finishes behind a garage-type business on Rte. 1A.

Paddle Smart Symposium 2010

2010-04-05T06:01:00.014-04:00

Sticker courtesy of Castine Kayak. Yes, you too can buy one of these badass stickers for your own car or boat! Simply go to the event.

The 2010 Paddle Smart Symposium is something I look forward to every spring. Workshops, water demos, door prizes....it's all good, and it's all about staying smart and safe on the water.

But wait...there's more! You can also pick up some very useful tips & techniques. Or learn about favorite paddling trips and trip planning. Learn how to put together a "plan of action" in case of an emergency. Or maybe you're new to paddling and you don't know where to begin when it comes to buying a boat, a paddle, or a life jacket. There will be on-the-water equipment demos and gear discussions to help you out with all of that.

Donate $5 at the door to support the event and you'll be entered into a drawing for a brand new sea kayak! Sweet.

And for anyone interested in doing the Kenduskeag, the good folks at MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization) will be hosting yet another "Kenduskeag Prep" session at Paddle Smart. This will be the third year they have put this popular session together; check it out.

(And be sure to check out the Kenduskeag tips section on my website. That can be found right about....here.)

Choosing which session to attend can be tough! This year, I think I'll attend the "river reading" session presented by the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society in addition to a "what to do if you capsize" demo which is held at the swimming pool.

If you live within driving distance and you're into paddling, you really owe it to yourself to spend some time at this annual event. Veteran paddlers return year after year and there are many good reasons for that. It's informative AND fun.

When & Where:

Friday, April 9th, 2010

5pm-9:30pm

Husson University (Newman Gym)

Check out Castine Kayak's downloadable, printable schedule of events at Paddle Smart 2010.

Passy River Race: Fun In The Sun

2010-04-04T16:31:00.004-04:00

The Passy River Race on Saturday was a blast. The weather was beautiful (I have a mild sunburn to prove it) and the water was truly inviting.

Over 100 paddlers participated this year. It was nice to see so many young paddlers involved in this year's race.

In part, this is clearly the result of hard work by the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) to engage young people in the sport of paddling. If the St. George and Passy River races are any indication, these efforts seem to be working!

I've posted some race photos here.

Next Up: Passy River Race!

2010-03-29T05:29:00.005-04:00

The second chapter of Maine's all-too-brief whitewater

season begins near Belfast on Saturday, April 3rd at 11am.

Passy River Race - Saturday, April 3rd at 11am

at Littlefield Farm near Belfast

Registration: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $20 per paddler

Race Location & Directions: Take Rte 7/137 NW out of Belfast. After about 3 miles, take a left on Shepard Rd. (Side note: about a half mile up Shepard Rd is where the race ends, at a spot where the river comes close to the road. You'll see lots of cars and paddlers and if in doubt, just ask someone where the start is!) Continue up Shepard Rd. At the stop sign, bear right onto Poors Mill Rd, then after about a half mile, bear right again. Continue across the bridge on Poors Mill Rd, and after about 1.5 miles, bear right onto Savage Rd (a dirt road). The start is about a half mile up Savage Rd where the river goes under the road.

Course:Race starts at the Littlefield Farm, first mile is flat water with many curves. Course passes under a cement bridge to another mile of flat water followed by a short stretch of Class II rapids. A two-mile stretch of flat water to the Rolerson’s bridge, then Class I, II and III whitewater for a mile and a half, leading to a flatwater stretch to the finish. According to race director Dale Cross, "...this river also finishes with about a mile straightaway, very wide. It’s like a stock car finish. You can see people all around you, so it’s really cool. Several boats wide could finish at the same time."

(Source for Dale Cross quote: Bangor Daily News article).

* * * * *
Stop by the Waldo County YMCA to register for the St. George or call (207) 338-4598.

More information can be found on the
Waldo County YMCA canoe race page.

St. George River Race Sees Nice Turnout

2010-03-27T22:52:00.006-04:00

According to this Bangor Daily News article, over 100 paddlers took part in the St. George River Race earlier today. (The article also features a short video).

I've also posted my photos from the race here.

UPDATE: Full race results for the St. George have been posted! Download the document here. Courtesy of the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2010-03-26T13:54:00.006-04:00

A note from Jeff Owen, President of the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) on the eve of the season-opening St. George River Race:

Paddled the St. G with the clinic yesterday with a nice large group, experts and novices (and everything in between). The water level is awesome--most rocks covered, some really nice wave trains and eddy lines, but not too pushy. The race should be fun and fast.

BUT, please be extra cautious regarding proper clothing with the forecasted temperatures only in the teens or twenties for race time. Those are "dangerous cold" temperatures if you get wet anywhere where help is not immediately available. If you see paddlers on shore who have just swum, it'll be a good day to just automatically pull in and help (instead of the usual yell of "you okay?"). Let's be safe out there!

St. George River: A Paddler's Point Of View

2010-03-24T23:26:00.008-04:00

Ray Wirth of Belfast (and Water Walker Sea Kayaks) has posted a nifty video on YouTube of his paddle down the St. George River on March 17th. The river looks good and hopefully our recent rains will have boosted the water levels a tad.

Update 3/25: According to this Bangor Daily News article, the recent rains have raised the river levels, and so the St. George is "...even better now. It’s so close to perfect it’s not even funny.”

This Week: St. George River Paddling Clinic & Race!

2010-03-22T13:11:00.008-04:00

If you're looking to try out a race or just get your sea legs back, the St. George River Race is just the ticket!

This season-opening race is always a lot of fun and there are prizes to be won. And as the St. George Race is a good 10.5 miles shorter than the Kenduskeag, it's the perfect "primer" race.

But wait! There's more. If you are new to paddling and you want to prep yourself for any of the races this spring and summer (including the Kenduskeag, of course) you can try out a paddling clinic hosted by the good people at MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization).

You will have to fill out an American Canoe Association (ACA) waiver form, which I have provided links for right here. You can download the waiver forms for both minors and adults. (These are PDF documents).

St. George River Race (Paddling Clinic): Thursday, March 25th at 4pm, Searsmont.

Bring the applicable waivers and your boat. Clinic is free. Experienced paddlers will guide you through the stream at your own pace. Designed for fun and for building confidence!

St. George River Race - Saturday, March 27th at 11am at Searsmont.

Registration: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $20 per paddler
Race Location: Searsmont Methodist Church, Route 131, Searsmont, Maine
Course: Race starts at St. George Bridge in Searsmont Village. Three miles of dead water, 1 mile of rapids, 2 miles of dead water and curves with one Class III drop. This race has Class II – III rapids (plus or minus depending on the water level.)

* * * * *
Stop by the Waldo County YMCA to register for the St. George or call (207) 338-4598.

More information can be found on the
Waldo County YMCA canoe race page.

New Facebook Page For Canoe Race

2010-03-22T06:17:00.001-04:00

If you're one of the 400+ million users of the venerable social networking site known as Facebook, you can now become a fan of the newly minted Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race page.

Updates, comments and fan photos are welcome. Or you can just stick around here and haunt the blog. That's cool too.

Are You Experienced?

2010-03-13T12:19:00.025-05:00

Tough sledding on the St. George - 2009

Certain traditions in March allow me to mentally check out of winter.

I can pinch someone on St. Patricks Day if they neglect to wear green and my chances of being slapped are at least 50% lower than if I tried to do this on any other day. Girl Scout cookies are on sale, certain types of which should be classified as habit-forming drugs. We set our clocks ahead one hour but the net effect is at least five times that, and many of us are grumpier than post-hibernation bears on Monday morning.

And John Holyoke interviews Dale Cross for the Bangor Daily News.
As far as I'm concerned, spring is officially here.

Dale Cross, the director of the season-opening St. George River Race on March 27th (as well as the Passy River Race which takes place the following week), offers sage advice for newcomers to paddling:

“...I think it’s wise for folks that are just getting started … that they go with other folks that may understand the sport a little better,” Cross said. “It keeps everybody safe. It’s important to back up two steps and make sure they’ve got the proper equipment...I think that what any paddler needs to do is just get in the boat...flat water, anywhere they can get in where it’s safe, to get their sea legs.. get some things straightened out with a partner, on flat water, before they get into the whitewater stuff."

Read John Holyoke's full article here from the Bangor Daily News. Cross briefly outlines each of the upcoming races. Highly recommended reading as we approach the Maine whitewater season.

2010 Whitewater Season Just Around The Bend

2010-03-07T00:01:00.011-05:00

Captain Morgan cruises by during the 2009 race

The whitewater season in Maine is almost upon us, and this blog is officially out of hibernation for the next couple of months. Woo-Hoo!

I mean, Arrrr!

Lots to talk about in the near future, but here's a wee dram:

The St. George River Race opens things up in just a few weeks, and get this...the St. George River has already iced out. I'll have more on the St. George (including when & where) in about a week.

If you haven't pre-registered for the 2010 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, what in the name of Long John Silver are you waiting for??

Download the 2010 form here.

Whether you plan to go solo or assemble a motley-looking crew, pre-registration saves you time and money. $36 per paddler this year if you wait until race day to sign up, but only $18 per paddler if you beat the deadline (Friday, April 16th at 1pm).

See You On The Stream In 2010

2009-05-08T08:08:00.000-04:00

This blog is going into hibernation until March, 2010.

There are many canoe & kayak races throughout the summer in Maine - so be sure to check out the race calendar at the MaCKRO website.

Keep your paddle in the water!

-Mike

Kenduskeag Race Results - 2009

2009-05-07T13:07:00.002-04:00

The 2009 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race results are out! Bangor Parks and Recreation released the final results earlier today.

You can view them here (PDF file).

I'll have the results archived on my Kenduskeag website in the next few days.

2009 Photos Are Online

2009-04-18T10:07:00.003-04:00

More boats, more paddlers and more photos this year!
Enjoy.

Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - 2009 Photos

Prints & digital downloads can be purchased on the print page.

How Did It Go?

2009-04-18T09:55:00.002-04:00

Post your favorite canoe race experiences whether you paddled the Kenduskeag or were a spectator/vulture earlier today.

Who knows - some of these stories might actually be true!

Lost & Found Box

2009-04-18T09:54:00.001-04:00

This is the place to post your lost & found items after the Kenduskeag.

Paddlers should be as clear in their descriptions as possible (and hopefully you labeled your boats and paddles before the race).

Thanks in advance to all of the thoughtful people who find lost items along the stream and mention them here for their owners to retrieve.

Eve Of The Race Updates

2009-04-17T08:15:00.007-04:00

UPDATE @ 9:02PM
From a photographic standpoint, the stream is too low and too slow! From a paddling standpoint, it depends on who you are.

Experienced paddlers might be nonplussed by the lower water levels this time around, but at the same time, people who have never tried the race because of anxiety over the high and fast water in recent years should be able to relax this year. It's a good year to get your feet wet, so to speak.

PS - Partial race results will likely appear in the Bangor Daily News on Monday; full results usually do not come out for two to three weeks. You can sign up for the race results email list on the contact page of my site.

Here's to a fun race and a pleasant weekend for all!

* * * *

Paddler Steve Markwith did a trial run of Six Mile Falls & Washing Machine/Shopping Cart yesterday and he posted this web page with photo stills, videos and his thoughts on the conditions there.

Kenduskeag 2009: Nice & (Mostly) Mellow

2009-04-15T13:11:00.012-04:00

The Kenduskeag looks good and should be a lot of fun this year for a broad spectrum of paddlers. Here are some of my impressions and I hope you will add yours here as well.
(Click thumbnails for larger images)

Keep in mind that stream conditions will change between today and Saturday morning. For one thing, the stream should be a bit lower than it is as of this writing.

The photo above shows what the area of rapids variously known as "Shopping Cart", "Washing Machine", "Thunder Hole" (and a few other names) looked like on Tuesday. Enlarge the photo for a better view. Compared to last year and certainly the year before, this area isn't quite as scary looking, but that should not be taken to mean that the stream won't provide any thrills or challenges this year. Far from it!

Let's start closer to Bangor and work our way upstream to Six Mile Falls, because that's how I roll on these walking tours.

The area known locally as the Shopping Cart isn't nearly as hairy as it was last year, and nothing at all like it was in 2007. That's not a bad thing, as these rapids tend to surprise a lot of people who think that the worst is behind them.

Chances are, you'll be pretty much spent by the time you reach the Shopping Cart rapids, so I wouldn't want to give you the impression that you can just sail on through without difficulty.

Here's a closer view of the "tongue" of the rapids. Note the standing waves, which do tend to throw people for a loop. You have to be alert, and I'm thinking that river right is going to be the line most people will take when they approach this area. The shelf on river left (see photo) was somewhat passable on Tuesday but will likely be too shallow on race day, certainly for many canoes.

They don't call it the Shopping Cart Hole for nothing! Which reminds me, I'm pretty sure there is a Kenduskeag cleanup event scheduled soon (perhaps the day after the race) by Keep Bangor Beautiful, and the cleanup relies on the efforts of volunteers. For more information call 990-1201 or email Keep Bangor Beautiful. Or just do what we did and pick up the junk as you come across it.

OK, moving on. Let's take a quick look at the two mandatory portages on the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. Maxfield Mill Dam, and (further upstream) the Flour Mill Dam.

Chris D'Amico, who scouted the stream with me on this walkabout, pointed out an interesting thing with regard to the "mellow" waters and the mandatory portage at Maxfield. There's a nice little rocky "beach" available for landing. This is usually submerged under a few feet of water. Also, the calm "coves" on river right can be used as a rest stop for paddlers who need to take a breather or bail their boats. Nice!

Looking to river left at the Maxfield portage, there is another option for take out. I've never really understood the benefit of taking out here as the bank is quite steep. It might cut down on the distance of the portage across the bridge a bit, but most paddlers take out river right. Not sure where the Maxfield Mill Dam portage is? Here's a map

Now we move on upstream to the Flour Mill Dam. This is also a mandatory portage and if you didn't portage at Six Mile Falls (which is optional), this is the first portage you're going to hit. The remains of the Flour Mill Dam are just upstream from the I-95 bridge. There's a nice walkway and lookout over these rapids if you are walking along on the Kenduskeag pathway.

Note the calm conditions here at this portage. Again, it's a nice thing to have a "mellow cove" for paddlers because these portages can become congested. The grassy area is often submerged under a few feet of water. The take out at the Flour Mill Dam is river left. Here's a map of this area.

It's a good thing the Flour Mill Dam area is a mandatory portage. This area is otherwise quite scary. You won't have to worry about the toothy rocks as seen in this photo because you'll avoid it altogether. As you can see, these "molars" would chew your boat up and spit you out. And these rocks are just upstream from some nasty rapids. It wouldn't be pretty.

Just as an aside: I had to include this shot of the large pipe which runs through the remains of the Flour Mill Dam. This was taken from the Flour Mill overlook. In the earliest years of the Kenduskeag race (circa 1966, 1967) it was possible for paddlers to portage the Flour Mill Dam by sluicing their boat through this large pipe! Don't try to do this now, however. Note the spillway and the drop. Bill and Fern Stearns wrote about this rather unusual portage option in their book "Tales of the Kenduskeag", at a time when only a couple of dozen paddlers braved the stream for the inaugural races.

Now we head upstream once again to the infamous Six Mile Falls. Let's cut to the chase: people want to know how things are looking and what approaches (lines) to think about. Here goes.

This sat map isn't the best for this example because the water levels were at summer low when the big bird snapped the photo, but generally there are three main approaches taken by most paddlers when lining up for Six Mile Falls. You might want to enlarge this image for a better look. Portage here is optional, not mandatory. Here's a map.

Based on our observations, going the river left "loop" is definitely passable at the moment, but it might not be so easy on Saturday. We'll see. As the stream level drops that left hand loop will become bony. On the other hand, this can be a VERY nice route to take to move you out into a position ahead of the falls so that you can line up nicely and cruise on through. Scout the left side loop on Friday night if you can. (See note about MaCKRO clinic below).

Click the image above to enlarge. See the island of red willows in the middle of the stream (left hand side of the photo)? It seems to us that whether you take the river right loop or the "bony left" loop, you'll want to sidle up to this island if possible and line yourself up for the center of the falls from there. Easier said than done, but the current isn't as ridiculous as it has been in recent years (2007 being one of the worst in recent memory).

I'll leave you with a comment from veteran racer Jeff Owen of Orono:

Six-mile Falls gets difficult if the water is too low--sharp ledges all over the place, particularly in the section at the top of the falls. If we're going to run the falls (meaning the water is not too high or too low), we always begin on river left and work our way down through the little islands over there--then move out to run the main chute at the bottom. There are several options up top on river left, the best being dependent on the water level. It'll be fun to look at it on Friday afternoon.

If you have any thoughts on Six Mile Falls this year, by all means share them with us in the comments! Would love to hear from you.

And keep this in mind: There will be a paddling clinic hosted by MaCKRO (below Six Mile Falls) for anyone who is interested in testing and "previewing" the stream on Friday afternoon. Here are the details.

- Compiled by Mike Alden and Chris D'Amico

Stream Conditions Report Coming Soon

2009-04-13T08:57:00.014-04:00

UPDATE 4/14:

I walked along portions of the stream today and will post photos and comments tomorrow. I simply ran out of time this evening! But in a nutshell, I would say that the stream is on the low side of medium, and I would characterize the flow as "mellow". The water levels are certainly good enough for a fun race and at the same time the conditions are mild enough to appeal to first time paddlers looking to take part this Saturday. An easygoing stream this year in many respects, and we can expect it to drop even further before race day. More on this tomorrow.

* * * *

If you have scouted the stream (especially the rapids) please write in the comments area about your impressions and observations. People from out of town - in fact, out of the country - will be grateful.

PS - the shot above was taken at the Marsh Stream Canoe Race near Frankfort/Winterport. Nice race on an Easter Sunday. It was the second leg of the "Maine Whitewater Weekend", with the first leg being the Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race on Saturday. Keep it in mind for next year if you weren't there!

Kountdown To The Kenduskeag

2009-04-06T09:07:00.003-04:00

If the Passy River Race was an indication of things to come, the Kenduskeag could be a wild & wooly ride. We'll have to keep an eye on the local precipitation over the next twelve days.

Next up: The Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race and the Marsh Stream Sprint/Race, next Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

By the way, here are my photos from the Passy last Saturday.

No TV Coverage Of Kenduskeag Race

2009-04-03T09:13:00.000-04:00

No need to set the VCR or Tivo this year if you are doing the race.

WABI-TV (Channel 5 in Bangor) has decided not to provide television coverage of the 2009 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race due to budget priorities. (Story here)

The race will be broadcast on the radio and streamed on the web, however:

"For the 13th straight year, Bangor all-sports radio station WZON (620 AM) will provide live coverage of the race on radio. It will also stream live coverage on the internet (www.zoneradio.com). Coverage will start at 8 a.m."

Paddle Smart 2009 Safety Symposium

2009-03-28T07:33:00.004-04:00

Learn how to stay safe on the water and win a sea kayak!

Karen at Castine Kayak Adventures informed me that the 2009 Paddle Smart Symposium will be held on April 10 at Husson University in Bangor, from 5pm to 9:30pm.

2009 Paddle Smart Event Schedule (PDF file)

Workshops, pool demos, interactive displays (and door prizes!) will round out this fun and instructive annual event. I've already picked up five sea kayak raffle tickets at Epic Sports!

Jeff Owen, President of MaCKRO, will present his "Preparing for the Kenduskeag" workshop which was very well received last year.

2009 Whitewater Season Begins Next Week

2009-03-21T06:49:00.012-04:00

Update 3/29:
Great turnout (109 boats!) at the St. George River Race in Searsmont. (Photos)

Other races, spaced one week apart after the St. George, include the Passy River Race in Belfast and the Souadabscook Stream Race in Hampden. Mackro has posted a schedule of upcoming races.

Mackro President Jeff Owen wants to attract new paddlers to the sport in Maine. MaCKRO is hosting race clinics for all novice paddlers (and anybody else who wishes to participate). The St. George River clinic will be held this Friday, March 27th at 4pm. Read about the clinics here.

Also, if you are not a member of Mackro, consider joining. There is no fixed membership fee this year; you decide how much you would like to donate when you send in your membership form. Mackro is a good resource for beginning and advanced paddlers alike.

Register For The 2009 Race Online!

2009-02-27T15:49:00.003-05:00

The Bangor Dept. of Parks & Recreation released the latest preregistration form for the 2009 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.

Download it here. (PDF file)

Wouldn't it be cool if you could register for the race online?
Well, now you can! Check it out here.

Recreation program director Tim Baude mentioned that the traditional preregistration (ie., walking into the Parks & Rec office with your form and your check) is still an option, but many might prefer the convenience of registering directly online.

Whether you register online or in person, remember that registering early saves you time & money. ($18 per paddler for preregistration; $35 per paddler if you wait until race day).

Share Your Kenduskeag Stories & Yarns

2008-05-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

My blog is going into hibernation until March, 2009.

In the meantime, I invite you to read through all of the archived blog entries and associated comments.

And please share (via comments) your favorite canoe race experiences, memories, anecdotes or observations whether you paddled the Kenduskeag or were a vulture. From any year.

I'll check in from time to time and I will compile your stories for posterity in the Kenduskeag website for next year.

Later days, amigos! Keep your paddle in the water.
-Mike

2008 Kenduskeag Race Results Now Online

2008-05-02T13:05:00.004-04:00

Bangor Parks & Recreation released the race results for the 2008 Kenduskeag today.

Kenduskeag Race Results (2008) - this is a PDF document.

Looking Ahead To Some Other Canoe Races

2008-05-01T17:50:00.000-04:00

The Kenduskeag was a great way for many paddlers to welcome in the spring season. So now what?

Well, there are plenty of other races held in Maine which are on the near horizon:

5/3 - Meduxnekeag River Race - (8 miles, Houlton)

And how about this one:

5/10 - 5/11 - Aroostook River 60 Mile Canoe & Kayak Race (60 miles, Ashland to Ft. Fairfield - can be completed in one or two days.)

For more information about all of these races and many other races held in Maine, please visit MaCKRO's race calendar.

Paddle To The Sea....On DVD

2008-04-27T06:09:00.010-04:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, but I thought I'd toss it onto the blog anyway. Janus Films and Criterion (a high quality, class act when it comes to film restoration and releases) are bringing a classic short film from 1966 to DVD this week.

Based on the classic children's book of the same title by Holling C. Holling, this film version of "Paddle To The Sea" was nominated for an Academy Award.

Many people around my age group (40ish) might remember this film from our grade school days, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and our teachers used Bell & Howell 16mm film projectors in the classroom. Directed by Bill Mason, the 28 minute film depicts the travels of a schoolboy's hand carved canoe in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwest, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

While I'm not a corporate shill, it's worth noting that the DVD can be purchased for a bit less than $12 on Amazon, for example. I'm looking forward to watching a short subject film I haven't seen since I sat next to (and flirted with) Danielle Hornsby in the 4th grade.

Bangor Daily News Race Video & Article

2008-04-21T19:49:00.002-04:00

And I'd be remiss in my blogging duties if I failed to mention John Holyoke's post race article.

Lost & Found Box (2008)

2008-04-19T08:07:00.001-04:00

If you have lost a boat and/or other gear, you may post your information here for others to see. Good luck!

Conversely, if you are a good samaritan who has found something belonging to someone else (or spotted it somewhere) and would like to try to alert the owner, this is a good place to give it a shot. Thank you for your help!

Kenduskeag Water Lookin' Good For All Paddlers!

2008-04-18T15:15:00.005-04:00

Over 700 paddlers are registered for the 2008 race, not counting race day registrations!

Powerhouse paddlers Robert Lang (eleven time winner of the Kenduskeag) is returning to the Kenduskeag this year, and Trevor McLean will be participating in this year's race as well.

And from today's Bangor Daily News, quoting Bangor Parks & Recreation director Tracy Willette:

"I think the stream is at a pretty good level for everybody. Not too low, not too high," Willette said. "I think it’s going to be a pretty good course for everybody. I think the technical paddlers, the experienced paddlers, will enjoy it, and I think the beginners and recreational paddlers will have a good course to run."

Read the rest of John Holyoke's article here for more information and last-minute tips!

Group Paddle Today, And You're Invited!

2008-04-18T00:11:00.007-04:00

The general public is invited to participate in a hands-on "preview" of the whitewater sections of the Kenduskeag Stream today!

Meet up near the area where the Kenduskeag Stream enters the Penobscot River (near the Sea Dog) at 4pm. You and your boat will be shuttled to Six Mile Falls, and you can paddle your way back to town under the guidance and tutelage of experienced paddlers who will go at your pace and skill level. Bring a dry change of clothes for when you get back to town!

This event is hosted by MaCKRO, the Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization.

PS - on race day (Saturday) a special open house event will take place at the Sea Dog restaurant following the race, at 3pm. There will be snacks and live entertainment provided for anyone who wishes to attend after the race. And if you'd like to join MaCKRO, a special introductory rate of just five bucks will get you there.

Old Town Canoe Offers Prizes For Fastest Boats

2008-04-16T22:54:00.012-04:00

Celebrating 110 years in the business, Old Town Canoe has offered to award a canoe to the fastest overall craft in this year's Kenduskeag, as well as an Old Town canoe to the fastest Old Town canoe, and an Old Town kayak to the fastest Old Town kayak in the race. Sweet!

Portage Points (Maps)

2008-04-16T17:47:00.000-04:00

Six Mile Falls Portage (Optional Portage)

Flour Mill Dam (Mandatory Portage)

Maxfield Mill Dam (Mandatory Portage)

Portage Update: Maxfield Mill Dam Area

2008-04-15T18:57:00.009-04:00

As some of you know, there is construction underway at the Valley Avenue bridge, a project which is scheduled to last into June.

There have been some concerns about the construction site and materials impeding the mandatory portage at the Valley Avenue intersection area (known as the Maxfield Mill Dam). Plastic fencing, rebar rods and work trailers are in the path of the portage, for example.

However, Parks & Recreation and a supervisor at the construction site have both mentioned that there's no reason for concern. A path will be cleared through the construction site and the area will be made safe for a portage on race day. No worries!
PS - the water looked GREAT today! Should be a blast. Remember to preregister if you haven't already.

Thanks to Clayton Cole and Pat Davis for providing info.

A Passel Of Race Prep Information

2008-04-13T16:40:00.008-04:00

Jeff Owen of MaCKRO leads the Kenduskeag
sessions at the Paddle Smart event in Bangor
on April 12, 2008.

In case you were not able to attend Paddle Smart 2008 this past weekend which featured special Kenduskeag-related sessions, I took some notes and have posted them on the information page on my canoe race website. I hope you find this information helpful in prepping for the race next Saturday.

By the way, if you'd like to scout out the stream from Six Mile Falls to downtown Bangor in your boat, members of MaCKRO will be hosting an informal paddling event on Friday, April 18. Meet up with other paddlers near the finish line in downtown Bangor (near the Sea Dog) at 4pm. You'll go to Six Mile Falls and paddle (at your own pace and skill level) back to town.

Jeff Strout of the Bangor Daily News wrote a handy article about choosing a kayak that is right for you. So if you are in the market for a new kayak (heck, even if you're not) read Jeff's article here.

John Holyoke (also from the BDN) wrote an article a few days after last year's race - and his article is worth revisiting nearly a year later. "Sage Advice From a River Vulture" can be found here.

Stream Conditions Report #1 - Kenduskeag and Souadabscook

2008-04-10T22:05:00.004-04:00

Here's a stream levels report which can be taken with a grain of salt, but I've decided to post it anyway as I am receiving many queries from out-of-towners looking to do the race. They want a general idea as to what they can expect this year, so here goes!

Much can change between now and April 19 as we know. There's still a good amount of snow and ice to melt off, and we may be in for a rainy weekend. We'll have to see how much rain we get during the week leading up to the race. It's worth noting that many veteran paddlers do not even bother to scout the stream until a day or two before the race. Yup, it can change that quickly. Therefore, a final stream conditions report will be posted on the eve of the race (Friday). Stay tuned!

But just for kicks, here are some videos of the Kenduskeag stream as of Thursday, April 10:

Six Mile Falls Video - My initial observation is that it's looking good. Not quite as high as last year, although as with last year, there is some noticeable flooding in the field near the Hudson Road where the vultures usually gather. While the flooding is not as bad as it was last year, it could limit spectator access. Lots of ice chunks coasting through. (Pat Davis could probably give us a better insight as he lives nearby and knows the stream well).

Shopping Cart Video - Water level is high enough that you can't stand on the banks easily, and there's a good swift current at the Shopping Cart but not as much of of that "hungry hydro scary water" that we saw last year. (Here's a photo from last year to give you an idea). As a side note, I'm told the Valley Stream bridge is undergoing renovations and will be out of service until June. Also, the parking area closest to the Shopping Cart (down the road from the Harlow Street Bridge) is torn up and closed off - so parking is not available there. Keep this in mind if you need someone to pick you up in that area after a trial run of the stream.

Flour Mill Video - This is a mandatory portage, so it's nothing a paddler would worry about. I just thought I'd toss it in here for the heck of it. Note that the boulder in midstream in this video was completely submerged at this time last year, so the water levels, while very good, are not as high this time around. For now, anyway!

Souadabscook Stream Video - Last but not least, if you are doing the Souadabscook Stream Canoe race (aka "The Sou") the day after tomorrow, I've included a short video from the Emerson Mill bridge. Lookin' good! I think this will be a fun race. A lot of the rocks are covered nicely, seems to be a good strong current there. There was a choppy section just downstream from the bridge with some decent standing waves. Can't remember if it was like that last year or not.

Profiles In Paddling: Reinhard Zollitsch

2008-04-07T06:32:00.007-04:00

Nice article in the Bangor Daily news this past weekend about solo sea canoe adventurer Reinhard Zollitsch. (read the article here)

Last year I helped Reinhard develop a website which chronicles his epic solo trips on the open ocean in a Verlen Kruger SEA WIND canoe. The website features Reinhard's travel writing and photography spanning twelve years. Truly, an inspiration on many levels.

At 68 years young, Reinhard's next solo trip will take him to the western shores of Newfoundland this summer. A veteran of the Kenduskeag, Reinhard plans to do the 2008 race with his daughter Brenda, a race veteran in her own right.

Grab your favorite beverage and visit Zollitsch Canoe Adventures. There is much to read and think about in this website. This is a good one to bookmark.

2008 Kenduskeag TV & Internet Coverage

2008-04-04T16:04:00.015-04:00

WABI-TV5 Bangor (CBS affiliate) will be broadcasting the race from the bridge at Six Mile Falls this year, and there will be a live internet stream available at www.watchmainesports.com for $9.95.

To get you stoked, there's a video clip of an Old Town Canoe advertisement combined with a short WABI-TV race promo here.

8th Annual Paddle Smart Canoe & Kayak Symposium - 4/12/08

2008-03-29T17:30:00.001-04:00

The 2008 Paddle Smart Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 12th from 5-9:30pm at the Bangor YMCA.

Paddle Smart is all about safety on the water. There will be many Q&A sessions with guest speakers as well as watercraft safety demos in the pool.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR KENDUSKEAG PADDLERS:
Paddle Smart 2008 will include special discussions and demos to better prepare you for the Kenduskeag!

If you plan to do the Kenduskeag this year and you're a newbie (heck, even if you're not) there will be "presentations on equipping your canoe for the race, race strategy (for those more serious about getting down river in a hurry) and skills presentations on how to get out of the river in the event of a capsize", according to Jeff Strout of the Bangor Daily News.

As if that isn't enough of an incentive to attend Paddle Smart, consider that a $5 donation at the door will get you TWO tickets for a sea kayak drawing (at 9pm). Donations are optional, and there are many free door prizes as well.

Also, anyone interested in becoming a member of the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) will be able to do so at a special introductory rate of just $5.

For more information about Paddle Smart 2008, visit the Paddle Smart web page hosted by Castine Kayak. And there is this article by Jeff Strout in the Bangor Daily News.

One last note: this year, Paddle Smart will be held at the YMCA on Second Street in Bangor, and not at the Hammond Street location as in previous years.

* * * * * *

Four Whitewater Races Just Around The Bend

2008-03-20T08:37:00.015-04:00

Today is the first day of spring. Technically. And here are four races in Maine leading up to the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race on April 19.

Saturday, March 29 - St. George River Race (Searsmont) - 11am. Three miles of dead water, 1-mile rapids, 2-miles dead water and curves with one Class III drop. This race has Class II-III rapids + or - depending on the water level. Phone 338-4598.

Editor's Note 3/30/08: St. George River Race photos and video have been posted on the Village Soup website.

Saturday, April 5 - Passy River Race (Belfast) - 11am. Race starts at the Littlefield Farm, first mile is flat water with many curves. Course passes under a cement bridge to another mile of flat water followed by a short stretch of Class II rapids. A 2-mile stretch of flat water to the Rolerson’s bridge, then Class I, II and III whitewater for a mile and a half, leading to a flat-water stretch to the finish. Phone 338-4598.

NOTE: for the St. George River Race, organizer Dale Cross provided this additional information:

- The St. George River is ready to be run and at a very safe level as of Tuesday, March 18.
- Free hats available to all who register.
- Free DVDs of the race to all who register
- Local cable broadcast (16,000 homes) of the race in the days and weeks following the race
- Special awards / classes for high school / college paddlers and for newcomer paddlers

And for the Passy River Race, Dale provided this additional information:

- Free longsleeve t-shirts available to all who register.
- Free DVDs of the race to all who register
- Free lunch following the race for all who register
- Local cable broadcast (16,000 homes) of the race in the days and weeks following the race
- Special awards / classes for high school / college paddlers and for newcomer paddlers

Saturday, April 12 - Souadabscook Stream Canoe Sprint/Race (Hampden)
9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-4521.

Sunday, April 13 - Marsh Stream Sprint and Race (Frankfort - Winterport Snowmobile Club) 9am (sprint), 12pm (race).
Phone 234-2510.

* * * * *

2008 Kenduskeag Registration Form Now Available Online

2008-03-10T10:38:00.018-04:00

Unbelievably, the 2008 whitewater season is almost upon us, and this blog is now officially out of hibernation.

Bangor Department of Parks & Recreation released the 2008 Kenduskeag race registration form. Download it here.

It is wise to preregister for the race if at all possible. Registering early saves you money ($18 per paddler as opposed to $30 per paddler). Plus you won't have to sweat the registration process early in the morning on race day.

Preregistration forms are accepted at Bangor Parks & Recreation until 1pm on Friday, April 18. Race day registration is scheduled for 6:30am to 7:30am SHARP on April 19.

* * * * *

Timeline of the Kenduskeag

2008-03-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

I created a timeline of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe race using Bee Doc's Timeline (for Mac OSX), a software application which allows you to create gorgeous, professional looking timelines for various purposes.

Here is the link to my Kenduskeag Timeline.

PS -the software developer of Bee Doc's Timeline, Adam Behringer, did a writeup of this on his blog.

* * * * *

ZZZZ

2007-05-20T14:28:00.013-04:00

The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Blog is in hibernation until
March, 2008.

The archives will remain open if you'd like to take a look back, including the Lost & Found section.

Print orders for race photos are accepted all year long through the Kenduskeag site.

Hope to see you on the Kenduskeag next year (April 19th, 2008).
Until then, keep your paddle in the water!

2007 Race Results Are Now Online (UPDATED)

2007-05-16T11:34:00.001-04:00

Bangor Dept. of Parks & Recreation released the 2007 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race results the other day.

I have archived the results on my website here.

In addition, you may download the results in both MS Excel and PDF formats. (Special thanks to Jeff Houser for his help and technical expertise!)

Lost & Found Section

2007-05-07T18:11:00.001-04:00

Did you lose anything during the Kenduskeag?

Find something?

Post your comments here for others to see.
Thanks to all who contribute to this thread.

Originally posted on 4/23/07, I have "bumped" this post back up to the top as it remains popular.

Other Race Photos & Videos

2007-05-07T15:36:00.001-04:00

As we await the race results (should be released any day now) I thought I would take a moment to post some interesting photos and videos from other folks.

Check out this photo gallery from Rhesá Gordon:

Rhesá Gordon - near the finish line in downtown Bangor

And take a look at these videos on YouTube. Pretty cool stuff.

40th Annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race - here's a nifty ten minute video of last year's race by MaineMVP.

Sparky Bob's Six Mile Helmet Cam Video - This guy straps a video camera to his helmet just before heading into the maelstrom of Six Mile Falls. Cool first-person viewpoint of the rapids and Sparky's rescue. (Warning: there is some rather, umm.."salty" language in portions of this video...as you might well imagine).

Sage Advice From A River Vulture

2007-04-25T17:50:00.001-04:00

There's a timely (and amusing) canoe race article by John Holyoke in today's Bangor Daily News:

"So, a day late and a few dollars short, here’s my Veteran Vulture list of things for new paddlers to remember. Clip it. Save it. Laminate it (that part’s important). And next year, sidle up to a new racer at the Mystic Tie Grange, and slide this list into their plate of pancakes..."

Click here to read the article.

Video Clips of the Kenduskeag

2007-04-23T18:10:00.003-04:00

Grab some popcorn and your favorite beverage. WLBZ has posted some Kenduskeag video clips (in 15 minute segments).
You can find them here.

And the Bangor Daily News did a writeup of the race today, check it out here.

2007 Race Photos Are Online

2007-04-23T18:10:00.002-04:00

My photos of the 2007 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race are now online!
Click here to visit the race galleries.

Prints make wonderful gifts and keepsakes.

If you missed or portaged the Shopping Cart rapids, however, you won't find yourself in these galleries. Sorry! Maybe next year.

See You On The Stream

2007-04-20T18:58:00.001-04:00

Latest news: the race course will remain unchanged; the finish line in downtown Bangor will be the same. Water temperature is 38 degrees. Parks & Recreation and the search & rescue crews foresee no problems with the stream conditions.

Paddlers of the Kenduskeag are in for a treat. Water levels are amazing (some say the best it's been in 15 or 20 years) and the weather is perfect. The 2007 race is going to be a BLAST.

Be safe and have fun.

If you didn't preregister for the race, you may register from 6:30am until 7:30am on race day in the village of Kenduskeag. (But don't be late!)

And for those of you staying home: the race will be televised from 10:00am until 12:30pm on WABI-TV5.

WLBZ will have the video posted on the internet in 15-minute chunks so you can watch it live or after the race. How cool is that?

Also, the race will also be streamed live on the internet through Watch Maine Sports as a pay-per-view event. ($9.95 per stream).

Whitewater Survival Tips

2007-04-20T05:46:00.001-04:00

I took note of this excellent post on the message board of MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Association) and felt that it should be shared by as many paddlers as possible before the upcoming race.

The following is from veteran paddler Clayton Cole, who has lived by the Kenduskeag for 20 years:

"The high flow makes for lots of eddys, holes, wave trains and turbulence, but most difficult spots can be avoided . I would like to share some tips: If possible run the whitewater Friday. Scout the tricky spots Saturday morning. Be prepared to swamp or swim (wear proper clothing). Use at least 4 feet of floatation in any boat, have 6" grab loops or 6' lines with no knots. Have one bailer for each paddler. Keep your boat dry - bail or pull over and dump. Better yet, avoid the middle and skirt around all the big stuff. You must paddle with determination in big whitewater. Don't stare at the hole or wave train or it will suck you in. Commit early to a route, look where you want to go and paddle as hard as you can. Keep your paddle in the water including the recovery when it gets rough and especially if you are carrying water. Don't stop paddling in the big stuff - you will turn sideways and then it gets, well use your imagination. This is going to be a good one!"

Thunder Hole

2007-04-19T17:23:00.001-04:00

Whitewater kayakers had a ball at the Shopping Cart Thursday afternoon.

(click photo to enlarge)

"High Water Won't Stop Kenduskeag"

2007-04-19T12:20:00.001-04:00

"Tracy Willette, the race director and the city’s superintendent of recreation, chuckles about the rumor mill fueled by passion for the area’s biggest whitewater race.

And he assures you, there’s nothing to worry about: The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, 41st edition, will go off as planned on Saturday morning."

Click here to read the rest of the article

A Quickie Video of Water Levels

2007-04-18T18:01:00.001-04:00

I visited the Shopping Cart area and Six Mile Falls today and took some video footage.

Click here to watch the 2-minute video. (Nothing fancy, but it gives you some idea of the volume and swiftness of the stream.) Will be interesting to see how much this changes by race day.

The fellow standing near the Shopping Cart is Bob Martin, who thought it would be wise to stick to river right and hug the bank going through the Shopping Cart. If you get sucked into the Shopping Cart hole....watch out!

Six Mile Swamp

2007-04-17T17:21:00.001-04:00

Pat Davis is right: the stream is high and fast and swollen. In addition to his pics, here's another one from the Six Mile Falls area.

This is the area where spectators normally stand to watch the paddlers go through the falls.

As you can see (click photo to enlarge) the "vulture" area is completely flooded. The water goes all the way back to the Hudson Road!

UPDATE 4/18/07: Here is a closer shot of Six Mile Falls (taken today).
Where did the "jaws" go? (Click photo to enlarge)

Race Day Weather Lookin' Good

2007-04-17T10:55:00.002-04:00

The weather forecast for race day is "nice with sunshine and patchy clouds, high: 60 degrees". Maybe Old Man Winter is finally taking a hint. Should be a GREAT day for paddling.

Pat Davis sent in a couple snapshots of Six Mile Falls today.
Thanks, Pat!
(Click photos to enlarge).

Souadabscook Stream Race Highlight Reel

2007-04-16T13:11:00.001-04:00

I've posted an 8-minute "highlight reel" video of the 2007 Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race on BlipTV.
Click here to watch the video.

Also, here is an article about the Sou race from the Bangor Daily News.

Water Levels & Weather Reports

2007-04-11T11:01:00.001-04:00

If 10-day weather forecasts are to be believed, we could see a decent amount of precipitation on many of the days leading up to the Kenduskeag race.

I'll post stream photos and conditions beginning next week.

By the way, remember to preregister before 1pm on April 20. The registration form can be downloaded right here.

7th Annual Paddle Smart Symposium - 4/13/07

2007-04-03T15:30:00.001-04:00

The 7th Annual Paddle Smart Symposium will be held on April 13 at the Bangor YMCA on Hammond Street from 5:00-9:30pm.

Admission is free, although donations are accepted and tickets will be sold for a sea kayak raffle. (The drawing will be held at 9:30). There are also free door prizes.

The symposium is chock full of interactive workshops and displays promoting education and safety on the water. An informed paddler is a safer paddler!

For more information and a schedule, visit the Paddle Smart website.

UPDATE 4/15/07: I attended Paddle Smart for the first time on Friday, and it was cool! I could sense a "buzz" throughout the venue; people are getting psyched about the upcoming paddling season. Make plans to attend next year if you've never been. It's an annual event worth supporting.

Kenduskeag TV Coverage & Internet Stream

2007-03-30T15:57:00.001-04:00

Some of you may recall that WABI TV5 (Bangor) canceled their coverage of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race last year due to low water levels.

This year sees the return of TV coverage from the bridge overlooking the rapids of Six Mile Falls. WABI is scheduled to cover the race from 10am until 12:30pm. (You might want to set the VCR or Tivo if you are doing the race.)

Do you live outside WABI's broadcast area?
You can still catch the race if you have internet access.

Apparently, the Kenduskeag will be streamed over the internet through Watch Maine Sports as a pay-per-view event.
($9.95 per stream).

St. George River Race: "A natural, wild time"

2007-03-24T11:24:00.001-04:00

Less than a week to go before the St. George River Race gets underway, and it's shaping up to be a blast!

Here's an excellent article about the upcoming St. George River Race from the Waldo County Village Soup site.

UPDATE 4/2/07: And here is a post race article from the Bangor Daily News.

A Few Upcoming Races (Maine)

2007-03-19T13:27:00.001-04:00

While we still have to get through iceout, here are a few upcoming races to keep in mind if you'd like a "primer" before the Kenduskeag:

3/31/07 (Saturday) - St. George River Race (Searsmont) - 11am.
Phone 338-4598.

4/07/07 (Saturday) - Passagassawakeag River Race (Belfast) - 11am.
Phone 338-4598.

4/14/07 (Saturday) - Souadabscook Stream Canoe Sprint/Race (Hampden) - 9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-4521.

4/15/07 (Sunday) - Marsh Stream Sprint and Race (Frankfort - Winterport Snowmobile Club) - 9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-2510.

Check out the Bangor Daily News interview with race organizer Dale Cross (3/20/07). These races are going to be a lot of fun!

2007 Kenduskeag Registration Form Now Online

2007-03-06T12:55:00.003-05:00

Well, it's almost that time of year again. The 41st Annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is only six weeks away, and the 2007 registration form is now available for downloading.

The preregistration deadline is Friday, April 20th, at 1:00pm.
Race day registration is from 6:30am until 7:30am...sharp.

Remember, registering early saves you money ($18 per person as opposed to $30 per person if you wait until race day to register), and you won't have to deal with the stress of waiting in line.

It's been a year?! Unbelievable.

2007-02-27T23:42:00.002-05:00

My website, www.kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com, is now entering its third year. And while it does sort of seem as though it has been three years since I launched the site, I cannot believe that it has been a year (to the day) since I started this blog for the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.

In any case, stay tuned for race updates and more!
The 2007 registration form should be online in a couple of weeks.

Blog Status: ZZZZZZZZZZZ

2006-05-05T18:07:00.001-04:00

The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Blog is hibernating until the second half of February, 2007.

Blog updates and related news items will return at that time.

Have a nice spring-summer-autumn-winter and hope to see you on the stream April 21, 2007.

2006 Race Results Are Now Online

2006-05-02T20:58:00.002-04:00

Bangor Parks & Recreation released the 2006 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race results today.

In a few days I'll have this PDF file reformatted into HTML pages, where they will be archived on my website.

Race Results Out Soon

2006-04-21T11:38:00.002-04:00

The nice folks over at Bangor Parks & Recreation have informed me that the 2006 race results will be available online within a week from today. That's good news.

Here are some preliminary results which were made available just after the race:

Top Times

Jeff Sands-Kenny Cushman 2 hour, 8 minutes, 34 sec., Trevor MacLean 2:16:38, Jeff Owen-Steve Woodard 2:23:42, Fred Ludwig 2:30:50, Jamie Hannon-Chip Loring 2:31:22, Mabee-Kell-Lee-Theb-Hess-Cang 2:31:41, Justin Wardwell-Clayton Cole 2:31:41, Dan Wagner- Charlie Bradat 2:37:01, McGrath-Levy-Gray-Scarda 2:39:25; Brad Krog-Del Cummings 2:39:32, Matt Dingle-Greg Dorr 2:39:48, John Alsop 2:42:52, A. Paradise-P. Reomertsem 2:43:54, Bob Martin-Richy Bartlett 2:44:34, T. Kenyon-M. Cyr 2:45:04, Aaron & Dale Cross 2:45:48, Douglas Depew 2:48:45, Peter Blood-Clint Cushman 2:49:33, William & Nicholas Lunt 2:49:36, Chip & Lani Cochrane 2:49:55, G. Warnica-A. Billard 2:50:33, Eric Taylor-John Eames 2:51:00, Dick & Brian Kelley 2:51:11, Bill & Patrick Deighan 2:51:40, Barry & Eve Dana 2:52:51, Reinhard & Brenda Zollitsch 2:53:46, Guy Flately 2:54:30, Bucky Owen-Dick Storch 2:54:34, Mark Ranco 2:56:21, Tommy Perkins 2:57:21, Dawn Krog-Vicki Cummings 2:58:48, Jon Wescott 2:59:51, D. Conley-H. Brittain 3:01:36, John Carter 3:01:57, Bret & Travis Vicary 3:03:18, Michael Sproul-Mark West 3:04:17, River & Ralph Robertson 3:04:23, Larry Merrill 3:04:25, Brant Winsor-Randy Dixon 3:04:35, Gary & Dustin Brooks 3:04:40, Marc Rohde-Brent Gibson 3:05:05, B. Coffey-J. Wahlstrom, 3:05:55, Earl Baldwin Jr. 3:06:06, B. Merrill-B. Hatt 3:06:45, Ben & Dan Burke 3:07:24, N. Hawes-G. Stellpflug 3:08:05, Sandra Kudrak-Terry Wescott 3:08:45, Bob Mitchell-Bob Miller 3:08:47, Boying-Pellitier-Doucette-Day 3:10:09, Bronwen & Ted Pierson 3:10:38, Randy, Jackie & Juliet Cobb 3:11:41, Benson-Albert-Eaton-Eaton 3:12:00, Steve Markwith-Phil Gagnon 3:12:02, K. Fullarton-A. MacNeill 3:12:42, D. Rosborough-A. Mace 3:13:26

Category Winners

Open Class: Jeff Sands-Kenny Cushman 2:08:34; C2 Long: Peter Blood-Clint Cushman 2:49:33; C2 Medium Experienced: Jeff Owen-Steve Woodard 2:33:42; C2 Short Experienced: Martin Fitch-Andrew Magiera 3:14:32; C1 Experienced: John Alsop 2:42:52; C2 Mixed Experienced: Reinhard & Brenda Zollitsch 2:53:46; K1 Long: Trevor MacLean 2:16:38; K1 Short: John Carter 3:01:57; K1 Short Women: Maggie Sutherland 3:21:34; K1 Recreational: Douglas Depew 2:48:45; Century Class: A. Paradise-P. Reinertsen 2:43:53; Golden Age Class: Bucky Owen-Dick Storch 2:54:34; Junior/Senior: Gary & Dustin Brooks 3:04:40; C2 Women: Laurie Stearns-Susannah Owen 3:40:41; C2 Women Recreational: Dawn Krog-Vicki Cummings 2:58:48; Junior/Senior Recreational: Dick & Brian Kelley 2:51:11; C2 Mixed Recreational: T. Kenyon-M. Cyr 2:45:04; C2 Medium Recreation: Dan Wagner-Charlie Bradat 2:37:01; C2 Short Recreational: Brad Krog-Del Cummings 2:39:32; C1 Recreational: Guy Flately 2:54:30; C1 Women Recreational: Sarah Quaintance 4:34:49; C2 Medium Beginner: T. Lowell-H. Thompson 3:29:33; C2 Short Beginner: Greg Vail-Andrew Warnica 3:20:38; C2 Mixed Beginner: Lance Davis-Karen Roy 3:23:03

Bangor Daily News Race Article

2006-04-17T14:47:00.002-04:00

In case you missed it:

Cushman, Sands Take Kenduskeag

2006 Race Photos Are Online

2006-04-15T18:34:00.002-04:00

Gumby Crew: Right back at ya with the love.

My 2006 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race photos are now online.

Holy cow - what a demanding photo shoot it was today! Lots of fun. Although I didn't paddle, I got just as wet as many of the people who did. So much for staying dry on the bank of the stream.

By the way, I didn't shoot at Six Mile Falls this year. This time around I chose the Shopping Cart rapids closer to Bangor.

There were 339 boats this year (258 of which finished the race) and I think I snapped just about all of them. If you do not appear in the galleries, it isn't because I didn't like you. It's because a paddle or another person (or both) got in the way of me seeing your face. Blame my wet, cold shutter finger and the overall timing of things if you must.

If you did the race today, I tip my hat to you.

And to Dirigo Rescue: The Shopping Cart crew did a heck of a job ensuring a safe and fun race for all. Just thought you might want to know. They also provided this humble photographer with helpful radio updates during the race. They didn't have to do this, but they did. And I appreciate it.

Kenduskeag Is A Go

2006-04-14T16:19:00.003-04:00

The race is on!

Race day registration has been scaled down to one hour, from 6:30am to 7:30am.

So if you plan to register at the last moment tomorrow, better get there early.

Here's the latest canoe race article from the Bangor Daily News.

No TV Coverage Of Kenduskeag This Year

2006-04-11T17:48:00.002-04:00

WABI-TV, the CBS affiliate which usually broadcasts the action from the bridge overlooking Six Mile Falls, will not be televising the race this year.

A phone call to the sports desk at WABI confirmed this; the low water levels will likely lead to many portages, resulting in dull coverage.

However, this should not be taken to mean that the Kenduskeag will be cancelled. Nor should a television producer's idea of the "excitement factor" of this race be taken as a signal that paddlers won't have an exciting afternoon. I'm betting otherwise.

Said it before, will say it again. Don't let the rumors or news get you down. The race is on!

Stay tuned (so to speak).

Souadabscook Stream Race 2006

2006-04-08T19:54:00.002-04:00

The Souadabscook Sprint & Canoe Race was held as planned this weekend in Hampden, ME. Nice to see that it wasn't cancelled.

Here's a news story about the race from the Bangor Daily News.

Congratulations to Jeff Sands!

Last but not least, here's a link to my 2006 Sou photo galleries.

Springtime in Maine (UPDATED)

2006-04-04T19:02:00.002-04:00

Rain, sleet & snow today. I couldn't be happier. People in town are giving me strange looks when I tell them how great it is that we're having this weather. We need all the water we can get for April 15th.

UPDATE 4/5/06: I went by Six Mile Falls today. The stream was noticeably higher than it was just a few days ago. The rain and snow seemed to help things a bit. Given a few more days like that, I would think that we'll be good to go!

If you were part of the Gumby race crew last year, you will find your smiling faces...well, not on the cover of the Rolling Stone, but at least in the pages of the April issue of Bangor Metro magazine. It's in stores now.

College Students: Compete For Your School!

2006-04-02T20:18:00.002-04:00

(originally posted 3/27/06)

Although it is missing from the 2006 race registration form, there's a new College Division for the 2006 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race (and this new College Division is applicable to all MaCKRO points races throughout this season.)

College students may compete on behalf of their respective schools for the ultimate prize: The College Cup.

You must be a member of MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Association) to compete in the College Division. There are special membership group rates available for colleges. Contact MaCKRO for more information.

Canoe race organizer Matt Dingle relayed this message:

"Only one, Unity College, has contacted me about their club joining. They did make some comment about the other colleges around here not knowing how to paddle, having buggy whip arms and that they would probably float down the stream backwards, puking in fear. But the message wasn't real clear."

A Couple of April Fools Scout The Stream

2006-04-02T03:26:00.002-04:00

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge images)

On the morning of April Fools Day, I scouted different parts of the Kenduskeag with my neighbor Chris D'Amico, a seasoned vet of the canoe race. As a paddler, I'm a hopeless novice. I work primarily as a photographer. So it was good to scout some sections of the stream with someone who could actually "interpret" the water. This we did by car and by foot - not by boat.

It doesn't take a seasoned veteran of this canoe race to see that the stream levels are quite a bit lower than in years past. But I felt a need to know just how bad the damage is. Would a seasoned race participant take a look at sections of the stream and abandon all hope? Recent race cancellations in Maine (all due to low water) have some people sitting on pins and needles. Is it possible, they ask me, that the race could be cancelled altogether this year? It is a question which has popped up in the back of my mind as well.

It's important to note that up until now, there has been absolutely no mention of a pending cancellation by the race committee. And today's estimation from Chris was one of cautious optimism: "The stream is low, yes...but it certainly appears to be doable. At least for now. Some sections will be rough going, but it appears to be passable."

I'll have to leave it up to other paddlers to determine whether "passable" is good enough for them. But in any case one thing seems certain: Six Mile Falls looks to be a dicey proposition. With such low water levels, a paddler's options are limited. We walked along both sides of the stream in the area of Six Mile Falls, all the while amazed at how much more exposed the banks of the stream are this year.

Tree stumps, knifelike slices of ledge, spits of grassy land - all of which were submerged under several feet of water last year and in years past - were completely exposed. Stairsteps of rocks and boulders riffled the stream.

Chris lined up some possible approaches to Six Mile Falls and again, he felt that it seemed passable. But tricky. He figured that lining up for a run into the low-level falls may require considerably more technical skill and finesse of paddlers this year. He also wondered if most people might decide to portage the falls altogether to avoid such a problematic obstacle. Then again, there's an outside chance that Six Mile Falls will be designated a mandatory portage.

That about closes it for our April Fools Day stream and race speculation. For whatever it is worth. Stay tuned!

UPDATE 4/5/06: Stream levels have risen in just a few short days thanks to rain, sleet and light snow. Things are looking much better. So, no more hand-wringing! I would be VERY surprised if the race were cancelled at this point. I don't think 2006 will be a year of record race times, but I don't think this race will be cancelled. Just my 2 cents, take it or leave it.

St. George and Passy River Races Cancelled

2006-03-30T00:15:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, both the St. George and Passy River races have been cancelled due to low water levels. Both races were tentatively scheduled for this weekend (April 1st & 2nd). No word on the status of races scheduled in the near future; it's still too early to tell. Stay tuned - I'll post updates as they become available.

Here's more from the Bangor Daily News.

Sixteen Miles of Bad Road

2006-03-25T19:01:00.002-05:00

How low can it go?

The Kenduskeag is so low that, in places, I could walk halfway out into the stream without getting my shoes wet. However, I have heard from a couple of different paddlers that the sections of the stream they tested were passable.
(Click thumbnails to enlarge)

If you know how to do a raindance, this might be a good time. The St. George River Race in Searsmont was postponed for a week due to low water levels. Things can turn around quickly given some steady rain. But at the moment, the Kenduskeag looks like sixteen miles of bad road. As my neighbor put it: "Looks like we'll be painting the rocks with our boats this year."

PS - Here's a good story by John Holyoke (Bangor Daily News) with regard to the St. George River Race and the low water levels.
PSS - Long range forecast calls for rain next weekend and on some weekdays after that. So don't let the low water observations deter you from registering for the race.

15 Seconds of Fame: A Racer's Guide to Grabbing the Spotlight

2006-03-17T17:27:00.002-05:00

Update 4/11/06: No TV coverage of the race this year due to low water! Six Mile Falls is likely to be a portage for many folks. So perhaps this guide can be applied in 2007.

Just a few thoughts as we count down the days to April 15. (I can't believe there are less than 30 days left until the race. And I really can't believe that it's almost been one year since the last race.)

If you are planning to do the canoe race this spring, and if you would like to grab a little media attention for yourself at Six Mile Falls, here are some suggestions:

1) Do not portage Six Mile Falls under any circumstances.

2) Wipe out at the falls. Not intentionally, of course. But nothing gets camera shutters snapping like a colossal spill into the stream. And remember, the race is televised. TV crews love a good wipeout as much as anyone else. I believe WABI TV 5 - a CBS affiliate - is covering the race. Remember to set the VCR or Tivo or whatever back home.

3) Wear an unusual costume. This is a surefire way to turn heads and camera lenses all along the course of the stream, not only at Six Mile Falls. Double extra dog dare points if you wear an oddball costume AND wipe out at the falls!

4) Short of wearing a wacky prop or costume, you can always deck out your watercraft with an eye-catching prop or ornament. The more inexplicable the prop, the better. I mean, can anyone tell me what THIS is all about:

I don't know what that thing is, but notice I have a photo of it. And I was glad to see it coming down the stream. In a traditional canoe race such as the Kenduskeag, it's always refreshing to see a little character and creativity here and there.

So there you have it. Three tried and true ways to grab the spotlight for your 15 seconds of fame. See you at the stream!

PS - Remember, you can pre-register for the race by downloading this form and mailing it in as soon as possible (deadline is April 14th at 1pm).

PSS - Also keep an eye out for the Paddling Picture Show at a Maine college campus near you.

Iceout: Slowly But Surely

2006-03-10T19:47:00.002-05:00

Stopped along the stream during lunch break today. The fog set a nice mood. A couple of years ago I snapped an iceout sequence (in case you haven't seen it).