Date Of Event: April 16, 2016
Location: Knightville Dam, Huntington, MA
Each year hundreds of kayak and canoe racers come to the Western Massachusetts to test their mettle against the rapids of the Westfield River.
The Westfield River, one of the longer rivers in Western Massachusetts, runs 78.1 miles and has a 497 square miles drainage area consisting of several tributaries. It attracts enthusiasts, recreational competitors and people who just like to challenge themselves. It also attracts an array of boating fans.
The Westfield River Whitewater Races, which have been held every year since 1953, are the oldest consecutively run canoe races in the US. People come from all over New England and farther to participate in the races. The races consist of novice and expert divisions. The novices race lasts 8 miles and the experts race for 12 miles. The participants race in two person canoes or one person kayaks. As if the rapids weren’t challenging enough, the race officials have the water behind the dam held for three days before the race to give more momentum to the current.
I never knew how popular kayaking, canoeing and boating was in Western Massachusetts. It was hard enough to find a good place to pull over or park along the route of the race. I was able to find a place on the side of the road to catch some of the novices who had already started.
Since the river wasn’t very active here, we drove to the Knightville Dam, the launch point for the race. The area was very pretty and the river was more active here. I even caught some enthusiasts who weren’t participating in the race.
At the main parking area, one of the racers let me photograph his boat.
Still not happy with my location, I found a better spot along the side of the river past a precarious rocky decline. Watching the racers expressions was fascinating. Some were determined. Others looked focused and even a bit bewildered. Others just looked like they were having a grand time. Then, there were others who didn’t seem to be having fun at all.
Not every racer made it to the end.
Eventually, they were able to wade across the river to the other side, no easy task given the strength of the rapids.
Monty, an 8 year old Siberian Husky, came along to watch the race.
Below is a video of a canoe racing tandem fighting the rapids. You can hear the strength of the tide. Rumor has it that it gets even rougher farther down the river.
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April 20th, 2016 at 5:00 am
Ohh, I miss white water rafting.. sigh.. you filled a need in my soul! Loved this!
❤ Dajena
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April 20th, 2016 at 11:46 am
I am glad I could bring back some fond memories, Dajena! It looks like so much fun (except for the boat that capsized) and it definitely is a strenuous sport.
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April 20th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Terrific post! Photos made me feel like a part of it all! I have done some white water rafting in Colorado and enjoyed it very much. very exciting. 👍👍
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April 20th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Thank you! My goal was to get as close to the race as possible which was a challenge with all the barriers. I wanted to make it feel like you were there on the river with the racers. As chance would have it, when the canoe capsized on the right side of the island, it channeled the racers to the side I was photographing.
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April 20th, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Great post! Love the photos!
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April 20th, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Thank you!
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April 21st, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Welcome!
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April 20th, 2016 at 6:57 pm
I think it would be great to watch the white water rafters, but I am far too cowardly to do it myself!
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April 20th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Hah! I didn’t want to be too far away when I took the photos. Some of the racers were so close when they went by me I could touch them. I was hoping they didn’t go off course 🙂 technically I’m not sure I was supposed to be there
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April 20th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Great post, I really like the action shots. Nice one. Dan
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April 20th, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Thank you, Dan!
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April 21st, 2016 at 1:31 am
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THE RIVER NEEDS A PADDLING! LOOKS EXCITING!
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April 21st, 2016 at 1:44 am
Thanks for the reblog! The river was angry that day!
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April 26th, 2016 at 1:31 am
wow, it looks pretty exciting.
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April 26th, 2016 at 3:49 am
It was! I was excited just watching it. The racers were so focused and determined. I could feel their energy. I almost felt like I was a part of the race.
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April 26th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
That makes it so fun. I’m glad you were able to be there and experience it.
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April 26th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
I am glad I went. It’s very inspiring watching people push their limits and achieve something so few can even if they didn’t win or finish the race.
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