Memorial Day saw the continuation of the annual Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race, as every town in the Tri-Town region, Marion, Rochester and Mattapoisett, saw a winner this year in some division.
Competitors build and race in their kayaks down 12 miles of the Mattapoisett River. Racers are staggered, one departing every minute from Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir off Snipatuit Road at 8:30 am. Almost exactly two hours later, the winning team reached the finish line at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir just before Route 6.
Organizer Art Benner stated, “several records were broken.” For the Kayak Division, C.J. Hedges, IV of Marion in Kayak Number 101 finished with a solo time of 2:04:56. In the Parent/Child Division, Katelyn Watling and Bill Watling III of Rochester (10) finished with a time of 1:58:46. For the CO-Ed Division, Rebecca Milde and her brother Alex Milde of Mattapoisett (2) finished with a time of 1:50:16. This is four minutes faster than the previously held record in this category. The Mildes also won overall with the fastest time.
In the Junior Boys Division, Henri Roy and Mason Zell of Rochester (23) finished with a time of 2:24:55. In addition to their first-place trophies, they also received a plaque in recognition of three consecutive wins, Benner said. He added they are the third team to win that plaque in the history of the race. The Old Man River Award, given to the oldest person finishing the race who had not previously already won the award, was Manuel Francisco (44).
Many gathered near the finish line to eat popcorn and hot dogs, watch the Canada Geese swim about and, importantly, await and cheer on the exhausted racers. Though forecasts earlier predicted rain or clouds, it was a bright, clear, and comfortable day.
Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race
By Sam Bishop
