HOULTON, Maine – Legendary paddler Clint Cushman, 85, netted another first-place finish in Saturday’s annual Down River Point Series canoe and kayak race on the Meduxnekeag River in Houlton.
Two years ago, Cushman and his long-time paddling partner Peter Blood struggled with low water levels, bony conditions and multiple portage points. But there was no scratching on Saturday.
The water was surprisingly higher this year, Cushman said after the race.
Fastest overall time, 1:10:15, went to Ben Randall who took first-place in the K (kayak) 1-long category. Randall of Sabattus, a three-time winner in the St. George River Race, finished this year’s St. George race, the first of the season, second overall in 44:24 in the kayak division.
Each year the Meduxnekeag race starts at Lynwood Wellington’s house on the Station Road in New Limerick and ends at Houlton’s Gateway Bridge. But in a new twist to the legendary event, organizer Jane Torres, the executive director of the Greater Houlton Area Chamber of Commerce, partnered with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Houlton Downtown Committee and Nature Conservancy to celebrate World Fish Migration Day as part of the race.
The theme of this year’s World Fish Migration Day is “We are River People,” and it just made sense to combine the two, Torres said.
As part of the event at the canoe race finish line in Riverfront Park, there were educational exhibits about instream restoration, demonstrations of natural streams, the impact of improper crossings and even live Atlantic salmon fry, which are salmon babies.
“This celebration, we wanted to bring awareness to migratory fish and their plight, they are decreasing in population across all species,” said Carolyn Merriam, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians fisheries biologist. “It’s good to come out and educate people about our rivers and our connection with them. We are all connected whether you fish, walk along the river, or canoe.”
The whitewater racing season began in late March with the St. George River Race. The Meduxnekeag contest, Down River No. 9, kicked off at 10 a.m. The eight-mile race from New Limerick to Houlton is part of the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization Down River Point Series and generally draws about 100 racers.
On Saturday there were 79 paddlers with 51 boats and all finished, said Torres.
“It was a wonderful day for a river race and just happens to be one of the Chamber’s favorite events of the year,” she said. “We have made some great connections over the years with returning paddlers and it is truly a pleasure to welcome them to our community year after year
In the OC1 Recreational Experienced category, Bob Martin took first place with 1:35:42. When Martin received his ribbon a friend called out, “Is there anything left of my canoe?”
“It’s all in one piece,” Martin said. “The only thing I hit was the finish line.”
Unlike most years, Cushman and Blood did not race together. Instead he paddled the eight-mile course with Terry Wescott, finishing in first place with 1:37:30.
“A combined age of 160 in that canoe,” said Ben Torres, who was announcing times at the race.
Wescott won the grueling Yukon 1,000 river race from Canada to Alaska 11 years ago.
“We were the first and the oldest to ever do the race and win,” Wescott said last year, referring to the Alaska race.
Cushman and Blood won first place in the 1996 point series with 35 points.
Again this year, Blood came back from Florida to get racers off at the starting line and log results at the finish. Unlike some in the series, the Meduxnekeag race has a staggered start, with small groups of similar abilities starting together.
In the OC 2 women’s category, Tammi Metula and Olivia Fischer from East Grand school, finished in first place with 1:35:33.
The traveling trophy in the law enforcement class first place finishers, Aaron Cross and Chad Robertson with 1:26:8.
“We’re very fortunate in the Law Enforcement category, Aaron Cross is a major in the fish and game department and he comes to Houlton, Maine to race
The Rotary business category traveling trophy went to first place finishers Angelina Jackman and Will Belyea with 1:56:25.
“I am just going to point out that neither of these folks has ever competed in this race before,” said Ben Torres.
