The April 10 Sinnemahone Paddle Race in Cameron County drew competitors from across Pennsylvania and New York racing five miles instead of the usual eleven mile course, starting in Driftwood and finishing in Sinnemahoning, Cameron County.

The 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 re-marked 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 and  Rescue, Renovo and Pleasant Gap had no reports of anyone flipping in the stream. 

To comply with COVID restrictions awards were handed out on the stream bank and each competitor was 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 and 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’s 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’s kayak classes Steve VanErden placed first in the men kayak short class;

-- Daniel Harmon placed first in the men medium kayak class; and

-- David Wiltey placed first in the men's kayak long class.

Click Here for the complete results and times.

Triple Crown

The Paddle Race is the first race in the Sinnemahoning Triple Crown of races. The next two races will be held--

-- September 25: Sinnemahone Gravel Race

-- October 16: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run

For more information and to register, visit the Sinnemahoning Triple Crown website.

(Photo: Russel Haines and Ed Leszak Bob Umbenhauer traveling trophy winners; John and Will Koening, First Place Team Canoe Race.)

[Posted: April 11, 2021]  PA Environment Digest

4/12/2021