Open Boat, Moving Water - A Paddler's Journal: Scantic Spring Splash

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Scantic Spring Splash - March 25, 2023

Looking for the line at Stokers

We were supposed to babysit my grandson this weekend, but he got sick, so babysitting was out. With a free day, I decided to run the Scantic Spring Splash downriver race. I have run the Scantic River many times, but have never done the race, which is part of the NECKRA (New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association) Downriver Series. This would be only my second race since I started paddling - the first was the BRWA Canoe/Kayak Race way back in 2010.

The Scantic arises in Hampden, MA (southeast of Springfield) and flows general southwest for 40-miles to join the Connecticut River in South Windsor, CT. We would be running the "Expert Course" from Quality Avenue in Somers to the Powder Hollow Barn (South Maple Street) in Hazardville – about 5-miles. There are 4 class II+ (maybe class III) rapids - Trestle, Stokers, Chimney and Staircase.

Entering the rapid at Stokers

I decided to bring my Yellowstone Solo for the race. I thought it would be faster then my Outrage, but it was probably slower since I needed to stop and bail after each rapid. I dropped off my boat at the put-in and headed down to the Powder Hollow Barn to register and pick up my bib. I saw a lot of familiar faces as I headed out to catch the shuttle bus back to the put-in. After the mandatory safety meeting we got on the water around noon with my class – Men's OC1 Recreational – going first.

The river was at a nice level with 1 foot, 40 cfs on the Broad Brook gage and additional water from a release from the dam upstream. The race starts off with 2.5-miles of quickwater. The removal of the Springborn Dam in 2017 created the first major rapid – the Trestle under the railroad bridge. Shortly after Trestle is Stokers - a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank, moving right after the drop to avoid the rock pile at the bottom. There was a big crowd of spectators there, so I was glad I made it through.

Running the main drop at Stokers

After some more quickwater the next major rapid is Chimney - an “S” turn through some rocky ledges that is generally run down the center (maybe center left). I filled up my boat running the rapid, and bounced over the rocks in the shallow water below the last ledge before I could finally find a spot to empty my boat.

The last rapid is Staircase, which is exactly what you would expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase with a large shoot at the bottom. I came down the ledges too far to the right, and dumped in the eddy above the shoot trying to set up for the drop - first swim of the year. After getting back in my boat, I peeled-out and ran the drop fine.

In the hole below Stokers

It was cool paddling under the bridge to the cheers of the spectators above and crossing the finish line. I finished third (last) in my class with a time of 50:22. Rick was the winner with a time of 43:22. After dropping off my boat I walked back over to Staircase to watch the runs, snap some pictures, and help recover boats.

Here is a video of the OC1 runs (including Dory who had her own class but still beat me) and some boat recoveries at the bottom of Staircase. You can see me take a dump at around 0:30 - if I had just paddled forward it looks like I would have made it. Thanks to Pinay & Mainer for the video.