Canoeing's future secure in area as mantle is passed

Ken Gerg (upper left, lower right) teamed with Lavern Young of Niceville, Fla., to win the veterans' division at the grueling Adirondack Classic in New York State. Shallow water and numerous portages tested the duo.

Several members of Cameron County's faithful canoeing community loaded up their vessels and supplies and headed up to the Adirondacks last month for the curtain call of yet another successful season.

What keeps these hardy canoeists going?

To some, it's the competitive fires that burn within them.

For others, canoeing is an opportunity to meet friends, stay in shape, test their own endurance and even keep Cameron County on the map.

With those and other motives, about a dozen local canoeists made the long drive to Old Forge, N.Y., to tackle the challenges of the 25th annual Adirondack Classic.

"This was a tough one," said Ken Gerg, a veteran canoeist who says he is edging toward retirement from a pastime that is more like a passion to him. "Water conditions were low and, hey, I'm not getting any younger!"

Shallow water on much of the 90-mile course was complemented by numerous portages that involved lugging heavy canoes on rough terrain over a period of three days.

Gerg, who teamed with another septuagenarian, Lavern Young of Niceville, Fla., competed in his 20th consecutive Adirondack Classic on the Old Forge to Saranac Lake course.

After building a 12-minute lead over their closest rival on day one, Gerg and Young held on to earn Gerg his 11th first place finish in the C-2 Stock Veterans Division. He has been in the top three 18 times.

This year's win was especially gratifying for Gerg, who has curtailed much of his canoe racing and training due to a heart condition.

"I guess I recovered enough for the 90-miler to carry my weight," he said in an understatement. "Lavern is an excellent paddler. It's hard to find a 70-year-old who's nuts enough to do something like this. I did the Nationals with him and he 'carried' me to a second place finish."

Will Gerg return for the 2008 racing season? None of his colleagues doubt it for a minute!

"The portages are just getting to be a bit too much," he conceded. "I might still 'paddle around' a bit, but I think my days of competing are pretty much over."

A portage is an overland route that must be taken when a waterway becomes too narrow or shallow to support a vessel.

The analogy is not lost on Ken Gerg, as he deflects attention to some of the younger canoeists who have taken up the sport.

Perhaps they're best symbolized by 16-year-old Matt Anthony. Matt and his father, Mark, went afloat in the highly competitive Men's Stock Open Division at the Adirondack Classic, targeting a top-five finish. After they topped the leader board at the end of the first day's action, they set their sights higher.

The Anthonys ended up holding the lead for the duration, making Matt the youngest racer to win a men's title in the race's history. Earlier this season, he came home with an impressive eight medals at the United States Canoe Paddlers (USCP) National Championships.

One of the more unusual events at the Adirondack race was the eight-person War Canoe division. Despite some inexperience and not much practice time, Cameron County's contingent came through with a respectable fifth place finish.

Paddlers were Randy Bailey, Lisa Bainey, Randy Flament, Toni Flament, Greg Pyle, Nancy Pyle, Teresa Stout and Ryan Andrews. Because of the size of a War Canoe and the riders' combined weight, navigation through the waterways was more difficult, requiring additional portages. All and all, it was just another successful trip for Cameron County's faithful.

"For an area that has very few waterways to train on, Cameron County puts out some pretty tough competitors," Gerg pointed out.

Many of the locals are already planning their itinerary for the 2008 season and most of them will train over the winter to build strength and endurance.

Many are involved, both as competitors and organizers, with the Cameron County Canoe & Kayak Classic each April. Gerg has passed the mantle for chairing that major event to Randy Bailey, who is quite a canoeist in his own right. His burgeoning trophy case includes five USCP Nationals medals.

The future of canoeing seems secure in Cameron County, as symbolized by the duo of Mark Anthony and his 16-year-old son, Matt. They're shown here paddling in the Adirondack Classic and receiving their awards. Emporium's Ken Gerg (left) and Lavern Young won the veterans division.

Cameron County's canoeing enthusiasts welcome the chance to share advice with novices who are looking into taking up the hobby.

Managers at Sinnemahoning State Park have joined the fray, sponsoring canoe and kayak demonstrations to help newcomers chose equipment and learn about paddling and safety.