Sunday, April 11, 2021

Sinnemahone Paddle Race Draws Competitors From Across PA and NY


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Sinnemahone Paddle Race Draws Competitors From Across PA and NY

Low water forced a course change for the 2021 race which saw 74 people register for the annual event. Competitors raced 5 miles instead of the usual 11 mile course, starting in Driftwood and finishing in Sinnemahoning. The PA Fish and Boat permit sets the low and high flow water marks. Thursday afternoon the gauge at Sterling Run measured less than 350, by race time it had dropped to 290. Thanks to the inflow from the Bennetts Branch the gauge at Sinnemahoning hovered at 800. Long time paddling enthusiast Ken Gerg remarked the course and added a twist. Racers had to navigate two loops in the course.

For the first time in recent years rescue teams from Pine Glen, Mountaineer Search & Rescue, Renovo and Pleasant Gap had no reports of anyone flipping in the stream. To comply with Covid-19 restrictions awards were handed on the stream bank and each competitor given chamber bucks to enjoy dinner at an area restaurant.

The coveted traveling trophy named for Bob Umbenhauer was won by the team of Russel Haines-Ed Leszak. Other top finishers included Don Frew in 1 person canoe racing class, the team of John and Will Koening took home first place honors in the recreation 2 person canoe class, the team of Saul and Eastyn Solveson finished first in the adult-junior canoe class the team of Seth and Luke Fragale placed first in the Clydesdale canoe class, the team of Steve Martin-Paul Gruber finished first in the racing 2 person canoe class, the team of Debra Brax, Holly Crouch, Toni Flament and Teresa Stout placed first in the 4 person canoe racing class.

 In the women kayak classes Angela Horst placed first in the long class, Debra Witowski placed first in the medium class, Laura Wright placed first in the short class. In the men kayak classes Steve VanErden placed first in the men kayak short class, and Daniel Harmon placed first in the men medium kayak class, David Wiltey placed first in the men kayak long

Race results listed at this link 

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