CSC Paddle Sports

Chisholm Ski Club Paddle Sports (CSC Paddle Sports) is a Club endeavor created in 2021 to promote year-round outdoors and healthy lifestyles within the River Valley area.  It's inaugaral race was the Androscoggin Sprint held on August 28, 2021. This summer's race, the Androscoggin River Canoe Race, features both 5 mile and 10 mile races and will be held on August 27th.

CSC’s vision is to encourage, promote, and host recreational summer activities maximizing on the abundant and scenic natural resources within the Upper Androscoggin River watershed. CSC Paddle Sports will evolve into multi-dimensional events over the next five years to include local, regional, and national-caliber paddle sports.

Downriver racing, bi-monthly citizens paddle sports river cruises, spring white water racing on the Swift River, white water rodeo, festivals on the Androscoggin Rumford Lower Falls (Knapp’s Pitch), and white-water beginner and intermediate instructional course are all under consideration.

1st Annual Androscoggin Sprint a Success

This Chisholm Ski Club hosted a successful Androscoggin Sprint Canoe/Kayak/Stand Up Paddling race in Rumford on August 28, 2021. The 4-mile course on the beautiful Androscoggin River began and ended at the Rumford Public Boat Launch. It was a new endeavor for the Legendary Chisholm Ski Club, know for hosting world class Nordic and Alpine ski races. The Club merged forces with Envision as part of their Androscoggin Adventure.

The fastest racers of the day were Mark Ranco and Chip Loring. Racing in the two-man canoe class and racing the #1 canoe, they were first across the finish line with a time of :47:39.9. Second place went to the father/son tandem of Seth and Tom Carey, They finished in 1:04:34. In third place was the team of Jason and Katie Brown, who paddled across the finish at 1:07:43.3.

In the solo women’s kayak class, Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization president Aili Hartikka captured the gold with a time of :52:22.1. The silver went to Barb Rajaniemi, who finished in 1:11:13.6. 

When asked to share her thoughts on the event, Hartikka responded, "I was very impressed at how well organized the race on the Androscoggin was in Rumford, especially since it was their first one. That section of the river is beautiful. MaCKRO will add this race to our yearly schedule going forward and I, for one, can't wait to see how this event will grow in the future."

In the men’s kayak, Searsmont’s Shawn Rumery took first place, crossing the finish buoys with a time of :54:26.4.. Norman Greenberg was second with a time of :55:13.5. Rilan Farnum used some fancy maneuvering as he approached the finish line to capture the final podium position, finishing in 1:07:32.1.

In the Stand Up Paddleing class, Tracyn Thayer captured gold with a strong time of :55:06.2.

The SUP male gold medalist was Stephen Leen, who crossed the finish buoys at :56:46.4.

The Androscoggin Sprint was part of the Androscoggin Adventure, and was a joint venture between EnvisionRumford and the Chisholm Ski Club. Other events of the day included a fun float from Rumford Point and the Rumford Boat Launch, a Cornhole tournament, food by Volkernick Sausage, and music by Jim Gallant.

The Club would like to thank the Chisholm volunteers, EnvisionRumford, the Town of Rumford, the Rumford Fire Department, the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club, Mahoosuc Search and Rescue, Volkernick Sausage, and our event sponsors: The Philbrick Place, CEI Consultants, The Barn Collection, Dan "Mouse" Warner, Black Mountain of Maine, and Community Energy. 

Click here for Complete Race Results

Photos from the days events are available at RVG Photos.

 Watch the aerial video of the race start, compliments of John Preble!

About Chisholm Ski Club

Chisholm Ski Club is located at Black Mountain of Maine Ski Area in Rumford, Maine. The Club has a rich tradition which dates to the early days of the 20th century at its Spruce Street location and its mid-1900s days at Scottie's Mountain. Over the years the Club has hosted several world class Nordic skiing events, including the 1950 World Championships, 1976 NCAA Cross Country Skiing Championships, 1991 National Biathlon Championships, 1993 US Cross Country Skiing Championships, 1992 USSA XC Jr. Olympics, 1993 U.S. Masters Cross Country Skiing Championships, the first ever U.S./ North American Women’s Ski Jumping Championships in 1996, 1996 National Junior Olympics, 1996 Chevy Truck U.S. Nationals, the 1999 NCAA Cross Country Skiing Championship, the 2003 Chevy Truck US Cross Country Championships, the 2004 Chevrolet US Cross Country Championships, the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Skiing Championships, the 2010 USCSA National Championships, and the 2011 and 2012 US Cross Country Championships. chisholmskiclub.org