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Novices will race April 19, and experts will take to the Westfield River April 20.
04/14/2003
By ELIZABETH ROMAN
Staff writer
HUNTINGTON - The sun shone and wind was light yesterday, perfect conditions for some gentle canoeing.
But for Jeffrey Prior of Chicopee the warm sunshine made no difference when he plunged into the ice-cold Westfield River.
Prior and his friend Michael Warren of Springfield were participating in the last of three clinics before the 50th Westfield River Wildwater Races, to be held next weekend.
"I have never fallen into such cold water before. After a few minutes you don't even care about the canoe, you just want to get out of the water," said Prior, who will not be participating in the upcoming race but can't wait to get out on the water and try canoeing again.
Warren will be entering the race, sponsored by The Republican, for the third time.
"I hope to make it all the way through," he said, disappointed at having capsized with only three or four miles left of the eight-mile course.
For Jessie A. Marcoulier of Chester, the ride was a bit smoother.
"I've been (canoeing) for about 11 years now. My father taught himself, and then me and my mom started doing it too," said Marcoulier, who with her mom won the novice category race two years ago and took second place last year.
"I like doing it because I get to see all of my friends from all over who I haven't seen for a while, and also the camaraderie involved in it makes it fun," she said.
Marcoulier won't be racing with her mom this year, but she's confident about the partner she has now.
"I've been (canoeing) for 16 years now. I just love getting out in the water after the winter," said Kathy A. Engwer of Chester, who will compete in the novice race with Marcoulier and in the expert race with Marcoulier's mother.
"We're definitely hoping to win it this year. That's what we're shooting for," said Marcoulier.
The race roster continues to grow.
"We had about 250 people out here racing last year and we're hoping for that much or more this time around," said Jeffrey DeFeo, one of the instructors.
"The past two clinics were held in awful weather but this clinic was great. The weather is really nice and that makes people come out more," he said. About 40 boats turned out for the final clinic.
The novice race will start at 10 a.m. April 19 and the expert race at 11 a.m. April 20. Elizabeth Roman can be reached at eroman@repub.com
Huntington, MA Police - Westfield River Wildwater Races - 2003 - page1
Huntington, MA Police - Westfield River Wildwater Races - 2003 page 2
Huntington, MA Police - Westfield River Wildwater Races 2003 - Last clinic pictures
Check out pictures and info from previous races