Orono family paddling events scheduled

Jeff Owen is passionate about healthy outdoor living, and is among the state’s most enthusiastic ambassadors for the paddle sports.

He’s also one of the best canoeists you’ll find, and often tops the leaderboard at local, regional and national whitewater competitions.

Owen, who has introduced Orono High School students to the outdoors through its GoActive program, sent along an email earlier this week that may interest you.

Owen and others are organizing two days of canoeing fun in his hometown, and everyone is invited to come and take part.

The Stillwater River Races will be held on Aug. 14 and 21, and feature two evenings of family-centered paddling competition, he wrote.

Participants will meet at the bridge next to University Inn in downtown Orono, and can choose between several events.

On tap: a just-for-fun sprint competition at 5 p.m. each week, youth racing at 6:15 p.m., and “The Big Event” at 6:30 p.m.

“The Big Event races include a two-mile recreational option, an opportunity to jump in and join a war canoe team, and an opportunity to challenge yourself on the competitive 4.5-mile [Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization] championship race course,” Owen wrote.

If you’re interested in learning more, go to the MaCKRO website and click on the “Races” tab.

 

John Holyoke

About John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.