Rough weather greets canoe racers
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The eighth annual Onaway Pro Race can be described with word: blustery. If there was another word needed, ?rotten? would fit as well.
After a couple of years of nice weather during the weekend canoe races, Sunday?s conditions were probably the worst. ?The waves were horrible,? said organizer Steve Watson.
The winners from the last year?s races were the same as last. Andy Triebold (from Concord) won the C-1 race and the C-2 race was won by Triebold and Matt Meersman (Indiana). The only differenc
The time was about the same for Sunday?s race, but that might be because the buoy close to Kleber Dam blew into the middle of the pond. There were 19 racers Saturday in the one-person canoe race and 29 in Sunday?s two-person event.
?This had to be the windiest May on record,? said Watson. ?We didn?t get a break this weekend at all.? Scott Reed was riding in the pick up boat and provided assistance for a couple of racers who tipped over. If he hadn?t been there, ?They would have been swimming for a long time.?
Reed and the sponsors were commended for making the event a success. Even with the lousy weather, Watson heard positive comments. ?It was nice driving through town Saturday night, after the C-1 race, to see all the canoes on vehicles in town at the motels, gas stations and restaurants,? said Watson. ?I hope the local townspeople recognize that and see these people are trying to support our community when they come into to do our race.?