TRR photo by Tom Kane Canoeists and kayakers push off at the start of the Third Annual Callicoon Regatta. (Click for larger image)

Callicoon regatta draws eager boaters

By TOM KANE

HANKINS & CALLICOON — Lisa Homa and Bennett Weindheim, husband and wife, were taking a big chance.

They entered their new double kayak in the Third Annual Callicoon Regatta, something they never did before. This was also the couple’s first time in the vessel.

“If our marriage survives this degree of intimacy and competition, we’ll be okay for years,” Homa said. “We want to complete, not compete,” Weindheim added.

The couple, who has homes in both Damascus and New York City, joined more than 100 canoeists and kayakers for a race down the Delaware River from Red Barn Campground in Hankins to the bridge at Callicoon.

The race/regatta, an old tradition going back to 1968, follows 7.3 miles of river with some mild rapids. The festivities ended with a barbeque and music at the Delaware Youth Center.

“All the proceeds go to the benefit of the Delaware Valley Youth Center,” said Tom Freda, one of the principal organizers of the regatta.

Freda, a Callicoon Realtor, recalled the days when hundreds of canoes and kayaks entered the race that his family organized. The regatta was discontinued and then revived by Freda three years ago. “It was a wonderful event that brought many people into this community,” he said. “It’s doing it again.”

There were seven competition categories. Prizes were given to the winners and all racers receive a free meal.

The Callicoon Regatta is the third in a series of races called “The Delaware Grand Slam Canoe Series.” The first race was between Matamoras, PA and Milford, NY; the second was between Hancock, NY and Buckingham, PA; and the fourth and final race will be on September 15 between Buskill and Shawnee, PA. Participants competed in several classifications of vessels: recreational class (Rec.), competition class (Comp.) and Barton Cup qualifier. The Grand Slam Regatta is sponsored by the Northeast Sports Store in Honesdale, PA.

First-place winners included: C-1 Rec. Open, Harold Deal; Barton Cup Qualifier, Cammy George; C-2 Scout Rec., Miranda Ruff and Jennifer Bickford; Kayak Rec., Katherine Dodge; C-2 Adult/Youth Rec., Tom and Jesse Freda; Tandem Open Rec. Kayak, Cindy and Keith Menges; C-2 Mixed Comp., Barbara Campbell and Chris Selkirk; C-2 Men’s Comp, Dan Peters and Rich Cucci; C-1 Men’s Comp., Bruce Codington; Kayak Comp., John Ders; C-2 Mixed Rec., Pam Combs and John Primavera; C-2 Men’s Rec., Carl Klinger and Dave Lester; and C-2 Women’s Rec., Alice Motten and Cecilia Penna.