Orono program seeking paddlers to learn wildwater skills

If you’ve got an adventurous son or daughter interested in learning new skills and competing in an exciting sport they may not have tried, the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization is looking for them.

Kellen Doyle of Orono participates during a sprint race at the 2015 U.S. National Wildwater Championships in North Carolina. Doyle made the U.S. Junior National team and is competing in the world championships. (Photo courtesy of Peggy McKee)

Kellen Doyle of Orono participates during a sprint race at the 2015 U.S. National Wildwater Championships in North Carolina. Doyle made the U.S. Junior National team and is competing in the world championships. (Photo courtesy of Peggy McKee)

MaCKRO sponsors junior and under-23-year-old wildwater teams, and workouts have begun.

According to the MaCKRO press release, “wildwater is the high performance, high adrenaline cousin of the popular local sports of open canoe and kayak downriver racing.”

Jeff Owen, an accomplished paddler who has won awards at the national level and is a teacher in Orono, serves as the coach of the teams. Although team workout sessions have begun, Owen said paddlers are allowed to join at any point.

MaCKRO is seeking paddlers between the ages of 14 and 23, although athletes younger than 14 can practice with the team as “cadet” paddlers.

The cost of the program is $100 per athlete, but partial or total fee waivers may be available. Team practices are held on Mondays and Wednesdays in Orono, and athletes will be expected to commit to at least one additional on-the-water practice and three strength and fitness workouts per week.

For more information, contact Jeff Owen at 866-8518 or jowen@rsu26.org.

 

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.