Summer arrived late this year in New England, not making its long-awaited appearance until the 4th of July weekend. For the sodden and chilled New England paddlers, the 4th of July, in all its morning sun and promise, was a clear signal that an Independence Day celebration was in order. 74 paddlers gathered on the swiftly moving Contoocook River to test their metal and garner the respect of their peers. And respect they received, for their demonstration of much more skill than is usually warranted for this, the 35th running of the Contoocook River competition. Following the awarding of local area products to all participants, a large gathering convened at Reinertsen's for the annual roast turkey picnic. This year's feast, for both the eyes and stomach, included the turkeys, of course, plus a dozen types of salads, homemade bread, smoked fish, fruits, sweet baked beans and other side dishes, and a spectacular array of desserts, compliments of the fine cooks in the paddling community. When the rain made a brief appearance, twice, the capacity of the NECKRA tent and the Reinertsen's dining and coffee tables was tested and deemed manageable. Children danced in the grass and wild flower maze, inviting adults to follow them through the labyrinth.

It was a very good day. Here are the race results.

C-2 Mixed
1 Carina Peritore (MA)/Dennis Carey (MA) 39:59
2 Dave and Sarah Dorsey (MA) 40:51
3 Emma Ross (MA)/Matt King(MA) 42:53

C-2 Mixed Masters
1 Del and Vicki Cummings(CT) 37:49
2 Bonnie and Joe Sumner(MA) 41:05
3 Pam Browning(MA) /Mike Ripple(MA) 42:18
4 Val Hamlett(MA)/ Phil Cole(NH) 46:56

C-2 Men Masters
1 Peter Heed(NH)/Tom Warner(NH 37:39
2 Jeff DeFeo(MA)/Tom Ellsworth(MA) 37:42
3 Mike Malick(VT)/Nick Lyesiuk(MA) 39:58
4 Al Ross(MA)/Neil Leblanc(MA) 40:20
5 Peter Olson(MA)/Ed Halpin(MA) 42:14

C-2 Women
1 Kathy Zaffino(NH)/ Liz McBride(NH) 51:12

C-2 Women Masters
1 Tricia Heed(NH)/Kristin Warner(NH) 41:03
2 Karen Levitt(MA)/Brenda Bowie(MA) 41:04

Adult/Youth Racing
1 Natalie Lessard(NH)/ Chris Wilson(NH) 53:34

K-1 Man ICF
1 Dave VanDorpe(MA) 37:49
2 Lou Carrier(CT) 38:35
3 Steve Smith(CT) 40:23
4 Mark Wendolawski( MA) 43:42
5 Josh Ormsby(MA) 43:45

K-1 Man Sea Kayak
1 Aims Coney(MA) 46:08
2 Emery Korpi(NY) 47:44

K-1 Youth
1 Sarah Lessard(NH) 58:43

K-2
1 Laurie Cole(MA)/William Bodine(MA) 1:03:03

Wood and Canvas
1 Monica Schnitger and Shawn Burke(MA) 54:30

K-1 Man Unlimited
1 Ted VanDusen(MA) 36:55
2 Ken Larsen(CT) 38:32
3 Rick Elliot(VT) 47:02

K-1 Woman Touring
1 Terry Myers-Coney( MA) 51:14

K-1 Woman ICF
1 Kathy Manizza(CT) 38:42

Family Rec
1 Ted Kenyon(CT/Ayana Cyr(CT)/Clay Cyr(CT) 53:17
2 Dan Koble(NH)/Matt Koble(NH) 1:18:37
3 Bruce Partin(NH)/Grant Partin(NH)/Leah Partin(NH) 1:25:25

C-1 Woman Masters
1 Kari Crowe(NH) 43:40
2 Sue Williams(MA) 54:46

C-1 Man
1 Jim Doucette(MA) 43:17
2 Chris Mulstay(NH) 52:28

C-1 Man Masters
1 John Kazimierczyk( NH) 39:25
2 Paul Dyka(CT) 39:54
3 Jim Roberts(MA) 43:10
4 Bill Farrell(NH) 44:52
5 Ray Thiel(CT) 46:00
6 Peter Cole(MA) 46:25

C-1 Man Veterans
1 Bill Robinson(NY) 44:12
2 Steve Nyman(MA) 50:07
3 Peter Beckett(NH) 50:23