TRR photo by Tom Kane Racers bolt from the shore at the starting signal of the Callicoon Canoe Regatta. (Click for larger image)

Regatta still a big draw

By TOM KANE

CALLICOON, NY — Sarah Price of Drexel Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia, stood next to her 12-foot canoe, giving her mother instructions at the Callicoon Canoe Regatta on Saturday, July 26.

Price, 17, a member of the Philadelphia Canoe Club and a winner of several races this year, learned the day before that her coach could not paddle with her. So her mother, Heidi Hamilton, who never canoe-raced before, had to step in.

The twosome won first place in their division.

The Canoe Regatta, which was postponed on June 22 because of bad weather, drew canoers and kayakers from far and wide.

“We had a group from Altoona, PA,” said Tom Freda, the organizers of the race. “Linda Volpe of the Altoona group won first place at the Pennsylvania State Kayak Championships this year.” Volpe took first place in her kayak division.

Over 50 canoes and kayaks burst into the river when the siren went off.

The course was the stretch of the Delaware River from the Red Barn campground in Hankins, NY to the bridge at Callicoon, a distance of 7.3 miles. It took the winners about 55 minutes to complete the course.

Racers competed in 18 categories in three classes: competition class, recreational class and rental class. The latter category, meant for inexperienced canoeists and kayakers, drew 18 boats.

Sponsors of the race were Schumacher Systems, Red Barn Campground, Electro-Kinetics, Callicoon Supply, Keith Manzolillo Contracting, the Sullivan County Democrat, Roche’s Garage, Mike Preis Insurance and Freda Real Estate.

Entertainment, refreshments and prizes drew crowds to the Callicoon Creek Park after the race.

All proceeds benefited the Delaware Community Center.