This past weekend on a woefully wet Sunday, scores of Vermont's finest paddlers came out to race and ramble their way down the Winooski River. In what can only be described "prime Vermont river weather," these brave men, women, and children put their hoods up and their heads down to cover an 10.5 mile stretch of the Champlain Valley's largest river. What may seem like a torturous outing to many sane people evoked smiles from the paddle-bearing crowd and not a single frown was found at the finish line. After the boats were out of the water, participants enjoyed a smattering of snacks and sandwiches while reflecting on the day with wide smiles and full bellies.
The race, which stretches from the Bolton Dam to Bridge Street in Richmond, is held each year by the Friends of the Winooski River. The goal of the event is to raise money for "The Friends," a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Winooski River and its tributaries. This hands-on organization helps coordinate restoration projects such as tree plantings to stabilize stream banks, water quality monitoring, storm water outfall monitoring, and stream bank geomorphic assessment. The funds generated from this year's event will go towards conservation efforts for the Winooski River and its watershed in the months to come.
This year's winners were as follows: For the men's solo racing category Pritchard took first place followed by Wiltey and Fredricks in second and third respectively. Browning won the women's solo racing category. The top three spots (from first to third) in the men's recreational category went to Webb, Anderson, and Ekstrom with the top two women's spots going to Blauwiekel and Ekstrom. For the full results, visit
the Friends website!
[gallery size="medium" ids="12225,12224,12223,12222,12221,12220,12219,12218,12216,12215,12214,12213,12212,12211,12210,12209,12208,12207"]
This past weekend on a woefully wet Sunday, scores of Vermont's finest paddlers came out to race and ramble their way down the Winooski River. In what can only be described "prime Vermont river weather," these brave men, women, and children put their hoods up and their heads down to cover an 10.5 mile stretch of the Champlain Valley's largest river. What may seem like a torturous outing to many sane people evoked smiles from the paddle-bearing crowd and not a single frown was found at the finish line. After the boats were out of the water, participants enjoyed a smattering of snacks and sandwiches while reflecting on the day with wide smiles and full bellies.
The race, which stretches from the Bolton Dam to Bridge Street in Richmond, is held each year by the Friends of the Winooski River. The goal of the event is to raise money for "The Friends," a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Winooski River and its tributaries. This hands-on organization helps coordinate restoration projects such as tree plantings to stabilize stream banks, water quality monitoring, storm water outfall monitoring, and stream bank geomorphic assessment. The funds generated from this year's event will go towards conservation efforts for the Winooski River and its watershed in the months to come.
This year's winners were as follows: For the men's solo racing category Pritchard took first place followed by Wiltey and Fredricks in second and third respectively. Browning won the women's solo racing category. The top three spots (from first to third) in the men's recreational category went to Webb, Anderson, and Ekstrom with the top two women's spots going to Blauwiekel and Ekstrom. For the full results, visit the Friends website!
[gallery size="medium" ids="12225,12224,12223,12222,12221,12220,12219,12218,12216,12215,12214,12213,12212,12211,12210,12209,12208,12207"]