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!

CSC Paddle Sports

Chisholm Ski Club Paddle Sports (CSC Paddle Sports) is a new Club endeavor to promote year-round outdoors and healthy lifestyles within the River Valley area.

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.

To kick-off CSC Paddle Sports, CSC will be hosting the first-ever Androscoggin Sprint as part of the Androscoggin Adventure on August 28, 2021, in conjunction with EnvisionRumford. The Sprint will consist of traditional paddle sports racing classifications plus unique local classifications and fun competitions. See Event listings for details. 

Androscoggin Sprint Description

August 28, 2021

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The racecourse is a quick 4 miles of the Androscoggin River starting at the Rumford Boat Launch located on Route 2, Rumford. The course loops around Wheeler Island at the Rumford Falls dam, runs upriver to Mt. Zircon and finishes back at the launch. There is current the entire length of the course.

The focus of this event is to encourage and nurture recreational use of the Upper Androscoggin River.

The event includes typical Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (MACKRO) Recreational and Racing Classes including Stand Up Paddlers for men and women as well as kayak classes.

The event will be sanctioned by the United States Canoe Association (USCA), and MACKRO. On-water safety will be provided by Mahoosuc Search and Rescue which has extensive swift water and river rescue training with assistance by local volunteers.

Awards and will be presented immediately after the race. Participants are encouraged to bring spectators, friends, and family to enjoy the music of Jim Gallant, food, a cornhole tournament, poker river run, treasure hunt, and more.

On-line registration will be available soon, through the Chisholm Ski Club website.

Rumford’s new boat launch—which includes 20-foot precast concrete planks, a concrete abutment with lay-down planks and ample parking—is designed to make launching and reloading boats work easily with river current.

Proceeds from the event benefit the CSC Youth Development Program, EnvisionRumford, Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue and Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club.