Tandem at the Scantic Spring Splash - March 29, 2024

Opening Ceremony 

I’m not much of a canoe racer, but I’ve always loved watching the carnage at the Scantic Spring Splash Canoe and Kayak Race – especially the tandem canoes. I have run the Scantic many times in my solo canoes. This year I wanted to try a tandem run, so I partnered with Aaron for a run in my Mohawk Whitewater 16.

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 on South Maple Street in Hazardville – about 5-miles. 

Competition takes a swim above Trestle

Much like RICKA’s old Branch River Race (AKA Rhode Island Whitewater Championship), the Scantic Spring Splash is a downriver race with four significant rapids. On the Branch the rapids are below the Harrisville Bridge, Whipple Drop, Glendale and Oakland. On the Scantic they are Trestle, Stokers, Chimney and Staircase. 

I dropped off my boat at the put-in and headed down to the barn to register with Aaron and pick up our bib. We got number 29. We then caught the shuttle bus back to the put-in. 

Running Stokers

After the mandatory safety meeting we got on the water at around noon with our class – Men's OC2 – Masters (AKA the “old fogey” group). There was only one other boat in our class, so we were guaranteed to place. We launched first and headed downstream. 

Even with the dam release the river was very low - .75-feet, 22 cfs on the Broad Brook gage. The race starts off with 2.5-miles of quickwater, and we scraped and bumped our way down the upper section. At one point we grounded on a gravel bar and got passed by our competition. The first of 5-times that the lead would change,  

Below Stokers

The removal of the Springborn Dam in 2017 created the first major rapid – Trestle. As we approached the rapid we saw our competitions swimming down the left side.  We went right, checked to make sure they were OK, and continued downstream. We were back in the lead. 

Shortly after Trestle is Stokers - a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank. We ran the drop fine, but filled the boat up with water and needed to pull over to empty it out.  As we were emptying the boat our competition passed us again.

Running Staircase

We got back on the water and continued down some more quickwater. It wasn’t long before we saw our competition stuck on a gravel bar on the left.  We passed them to the right and were back in the lead. 

After some more quickwater we came to the next major rapid – Chimney.  It’s an “S-turn” through some rocky ledges that is run down the center. We made it through fine, but got hung up on a gravel bar at the bottom. Unfortunately, our competition grounded on the same gravel bar and blocked us in. They got back on the water first, so they were back in the lead.  

Staircase from the Bridge

We continued downstream to the last rapid – Staircase. It is exactly what you would expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase with a large shoot at the bottom. We could see our competition out in front of us. At this point, our only chance to win would be if our competition swam the big drop at the bottom They didn’t, and neither did we.

It was fun paddling under the bridge at the finish line to the cheers of spectators above. We finished second in out class with a time of 57:19 - that was 32nd out of 55 racers. We hung around to collect our trophy at the awards ceremony before heading home.

Link:

My Pictures

My short video of the run

Aaron's longer video of the run

Richard Tanguay Slideshow at Stokers

Stuck on Staircase Video

Spring Splash Video from Staircase

Scantic Spring Splash website 

2025 Race Results at PaddleStats.net

Broad Brook Gage

Second Swim of the Year - Scantic - March 29, 2024

At the put-in

We will be busy this weekend with the family for Easter, so when I found out that I had Good Friday off from work and that Paul D. was running a CTAMC trip on the Scantic, it was a perfect match.

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 5-mile section from Quality Avenue in Somers to the Powder Hollow Barn (South Maple Street) in Hazardville that is the site of the Scantic Spring Splash downriver race. There are 4 class II+ (maybe class III at this level) rapids - Trestle, Stokers, Chimney and Staircase.

Stokers

With all the rain this week the river was at a nice level with 2-feet, 150 cfs on the Broad Brook gage and 1.5-feet on the trestle bridge gage. Jo-Ann described it as “sporty”. We had 9 boats – 8 kayaks and 1 canoe - what else is new. We put in off Quality Avenue and headed downstream. The first 2.5 miles is mostly quickwater, and it was moving right along. The removal of the Springborn Dam in 2017 created the first major rapid – the Trestle Rapid 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. I usually try move to the right after the drop to avoid the rock pile at the bottom. This time, it didn’t happen. The current pushed me left, but with the higher water level I made it through fine.

Chimney

After some more quickwater and a nice surf wave comes 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 drop at the bottom. I pulled into the eddy, but I didn’t have my bailer and there wasn’t anyplace to get out to empty my boat, so I pulled back out into the current to find a place downstream. Unfortunately, with a boat full of water I flipped in the small drop downstream – second swim of the year for me.  Maybe it is time for an electric bilge pump (JTK Canoe, Ridge Spirit).

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 eddied out on the left as I came down to help line up on the shoot on the bottom, and made it through fine. Another fun day. It was a good Good Friday!

Staircase

Links:
My Pictures
Scantic Spring Splash
Broad Brook Gage

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. 

Scantic Spring Splash from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:

My Pictures

Scantic Spring Splash

Pictures at Stokers

Video at Stokers

Video at Staircase

Race Results  - I am class G - OC-1 Men's Recreation

Broad Brook Gage

Scantic – March 13, 2022

Heading out

My second class III step-up trip with the NHAMC got cancelled on Saturday due to a bomb-cyclone that brought high winds and blizzard conditions to NH. Fortunately, the CTAMC had a trip scheduled on the Scantic on Sunday. We had some crazy weather on Saturday too, and Sunday was forecast to be the coldest day of the week, but it was still great to get back out with the folks from CT.

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 section from Somers to Enfield – about 5 miles. This is the course of the annual Scantic Spring Splash whitewater race. We had 4 boats - 3 kayaks and one canoe (me). With yesterday’s rain the level came up a little – 1 foot, 50 cfs on the Broad Brook gage – a medium level.

Stokers

We met at 10:00 at the put-in at 27 Quality Avenue, Somers to gear up and drop off the boats. From there we ran the shuttle down to the take out at 32 South Maple Street, Enfield (The Powder Hollow Barn), stopping along the way to check out Staircase, Stokers and the Trestle Rapid.

When we got on the water at about 10:45 it was a balmy 28-degrees - I could have used another layer of insulation. The first 2.5 miles is quickwater/class I. The removal of the Springborn Dam eliminated the dreaded “Heart Attack Hill” portage at Broadbrook Road, and created the Trestle Rapids under the railroad bridge. The next 2.5 miles are class II with a couple of nice surf spots, and three class II+ (maybe class III) rapids – Stokers, Chimney and Staircase.

Chimney

Stokers is a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank. You then move right to avoid the rock pile at the bottom. I went a little further right than the kayakers, but made it through fine. 

The next rapid is Chimney - an “S” turn through some rocky ledges that is generally run down the center (maybe center left). I went through first to get some pictures of the others coming through. 

Staircase

The final 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 almost lost it at the top of the rapid. I don’t know if I leaned wrong or hit a rock, but it took a "bottom brace" to keep from going over. I stopped to empty my boat, and took a squirrely line through the drop at the bottom, but made it through fine. 

Another fun day on the water, and no swims - can't beat it!

Emptying my boat below Stokers

Links:

My Pictures
Broad Brook Gage

Scantic Cut and Play Day - January 27, 2019

Kimberly, Tim and Erik

There weren't a lot of people out paddling this weekend, so I drove out to the Scantic to join the Chainsaw Swim Team with Tim and Kimberly.  We worked to clear some big logs from below the Chimney Rapid, and then did a run down Staircase. We did more clean-up work than paddling, but it was still a good time, and everyone has to do their part.


Staircase Surfing from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
My Pictures

First Swim of 2018 – Scantic – March 24, 2018

The quick water section

It could have been a real disaster - a broken zipper on my drysuit, not the swim.  After driving an hour and a half to the Scantic River in CT, I broke the zipper trying to put on my drysuit. Fortunately a friend who lived nearby was able to lend me a wetsuit and dry top, so I was able to do the run - crisis averted, and the red dry top matched nicely with my red PFD and helmet.

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. I joined a group from the CTAMC to run the section from Quality Ave in Somers to South Maple Street in Enfield – about 5 miles on the course of the annual Scantic Splash whitewater race. The level was low but runnable – 1 foot, 37 cfs on the Broad Brook gage.

Running Stokers

The first 2.5 miles is quickwater/easy class I. The removal of the Springborn Dam over the winter eliminated the dreaded “Heart Attack Hill” portage at Broadbrook Road, and created a couple of new rapids under the railroad bridge. At this level, these new rapids were pretty boney.

The next 2.5 miles has couple of nice surf spots, and three class II+ rapids – Stokers, Chimney and Staircase. Stokers is a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank.  My history at Stokers isn’t great (1 for 4 prior to this run), and I may have run it a little too far to the right this time, but I made it through fine. 

Running Chimney

The next rapid is Chimney - an “S” turn through some rocky ledges – no problem. 

The final rapid is Staircase, and it is exactly what you would expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase with a large shoot at the bottom.  The ledges were pretty boney, and I got stuck in a hole just above the final shoot. I ended up side surfing for a minute of so, but finally worked my way out. Unfortunately, I came out backwards, and couldn’t get myself turned around, so I had to run the final shoot backwards.  I ended up swimming at the big wave at the bottom – first swim of 2018.

About to swim the bottom of Staircase

This year, my first swim came a little early than last year, but not as early as two years ago.  Swimming in a wetsuit reminded me why I love my drysuit, so I ordered a new one as soon as I got home.  Anyone know where you can get a drysuit zipper fixed.

Links:

My Pictures

Broad Brook Gage

Scantic Splash Race

Scantic River Watershed Association

Conquered a Demon Yesterday - Scantic - March 12, 2017

Upper section of the Scantic

You know how something gets in your head and starts playing games.  I had one of these demons in my head about a relatively easy rapid on the Scantic River.

The Scantic is a pretty little river located in north central CT just south of Springfield, MA.  My buddy Andy and I hooked up with a group from the CT AMC to run the section from Somers to Enfield.  It was a big group – 18 boats – 17 kayaks and one canoe (me).  The level was a little low, but runnable (1', 20 cfs on the Broad Brook gage). 

Running Stokers

For the first 2 miles the river is mostly quickwater as it meanders though a pretty hemlock forest – a typical CT river. After a nasty portage up a steep hill at the Springborn Dam, there are three more difficult rapids – Stokers, Chimney and Staircase. 

My personal demon was Stokers. It is a ledge with a 3-foot drop and a pile of rocks just downstream.  You need to start into the ledge from river left and then move right to avoid the rocks below. I was 0 for 3 running this rapid.   All three times I got pushed too far left and flipped in the rocks. 

Surfing below Staircase

I put a little extra pressure myself by taking pictures of everyone else running the drop before doing it myself.  It would have been pretty embarrassing if 17 kayaks made it through, and the only canoe in the group took a swim.  Fortunately this time I shifted just far enough right to miss the rocks, and that particular demon vanished.

I’ve never has any trouble with the other two rapids. Chimney is an “S” turn through some rocky ledges.  Staircase is exactly what you’d expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase with a large shoot at the bottom.  Yesterday, the surf wave at the bottom of Staircase was a little too long and shallow for the kayaks, but was perfect for my canoe, so I had it pretty much to myself. 

Another poem by Tom “canoeswithduckheads” on P-net:

Get To Left of Me Satan!

The devil's in the details.

The demon's in the soup.

And off the ledge if left you hedge

Satan slurps in sloop.

Always enjoy your fine accounts and photos, E-E-Rider.
TW

Andy running Stokers

Links:

My Pictures on Flickr

My Pictures on Facebook

Ed's Pictures on Facebook

River Church - May 25, 2014

Quickwater on the upper section

On Sunday mornings I usually go Saint Joseph’s Church, but Paul and Jeff tell me that it is good for the soul to go to “river church”, so yesterday I decided to hook up with a group that was paddling the Scantic River in Connecticut.

The Scantic arises near Springfield, MA, and flows generally southwest for 40 miles before emptying into the Connecticut River near South Winsor, CT. We would be paddling the 4-mile section from Somersville (Somers) to Hazardville (Enfield).  

Ed Y. running Stokers

In the 1800’s, this section of the Scantic was the home to the Hazard Powder Company, which supplied the Union army with much of its gunpowder during the Civil War. The company disappeared in a mighty blast in 1913; however, some of the foundations are still intact. The State of Connecticut is building a “linear” park along this section of the river with several miles of walking trails in an area now known as “Powder Hollow”.

We had eight boats – seven kayaks (Ed W, Ed Y, Scott, Paul, Roy, Kimberly and Denise), and one canoe (me).  There is no gage on the Scantic, but the Broad Brook gage is a good substitute.  If Broad Brook is above 30, the Scantic should be runable. It's a downstream gage, so it’s not perfect.  Yesterday the Broad Brook gage was around 50, and the Scantic was at a perfect level. 

Ed W. running Chimney

We put-in near the water treatment plant off Quality Avenue in Somersville (Somers). For the first 2 miles the river meanders though a pretty hemlock forest.  It’s mostly quickwater with a couple of easy class I rapids.  After the Route 191 Bridge and a railroad bridge, we portaged the dam at the Springborn Mill on river left. 

Just downstream from the dam is the first of three major rapids – Stokers.  This is a ledge with a 3-foot drop and a rocky shoot 6 to 10 feet from the left bank.  When I ran this rapid last spring I swam it twice.  I didn’t do much better this time.  I lined up on the shoot, made it through the first big drop, only to swim a little downstream.  I did do a nice self-rescue though.

Kimberly running Staircase

Just upstream from Chimney is a nice surf wave that was perfect for an open boat at this level.  I was able to do some back surfing and side surfing, and still got out in one piece   Chimney itself is an “S” turn rapid that starts off as a series of small ledges with a larger drop at the end.  I made it through Chimney fine.

The final rapid is Staircase, which is exactly what you’d expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase.  The largest ledge at the bottom has a nice wide shoot on river left.  It turned out to be a fun run with a great group – I recommend that everyone go to river church.

A view of the Staircase Rapid from the bidge

Links:

My Pictures
Ed's video of me running Chimney

Broad Brook Gage

Scantic Splash – March 1, 2013

Stokers - from the Scantic Splash website

The weather was good and the rivers were up, so I decided to take a day off from work to do some paddling.  I took a ride out to Connecticut today to run the Scantic River from Sommersville to Hazardville.  This is the site of a popular spring whitewater race – the Scantic Spring Splash. 

I met up with Paul and Ed at the take-out at the Powder Hill Barn off South Maple Street in Hazardville to run the shuttle.  Tim would meet us at the put-in off Quality Avenue in Sommersville.  We had 4 boats – 1 canoe and 3 kayaks.  The river was running at 70, which I am told is good.  The weather was beautiful – high 30’s.

Chimney - from the Scantic Splash website

We put in from a dirt road off Quality Avenue in Somerville (Somers).  For the first 2.5 miles the river meanders though a pretty hemlock forest.  It’s mostly quickwater with a couple of easy class I rapids and a few leaning trees to avoid.  After the Route 191 Bridge and a railroad bridge, we portaged the dam at the Springborn Center on river left. 

Just downstream from the portage is the first major rapid – Stokers.  This is a ledge with a 3 foot drop and a rocky shoot 6 to 10 feet from the left bank.  I lined up on the shoot, made it through the first big drop, only to hit a rock and take a swim a little downstream.  The consensus of the group was that I didn’t have enough momentum going though the drop, so I portaged my boat back upstream to run it again – this time with more speed.  Unfortunately, the result was the same.  Rocks don't move no matter how hard you hit them.  I didn’t try it a third time.    

Staircase - from the Scantic Splash website

The next major raid is Chimney – an “S” turn rapid that starts off as a series of small ledges with a larger drop at the end.  I made it through Chimney fine, although I did fill up my boat in the drop.

The final rapid is Staircase which is exactly what you’d expect - a series of ledges that looks like a staircase.  The largest ledge at the bottom has a nice wide shoot on river left.  We all made it through fine and decided to do some surfing.  The run ended at the Powder Hill Barn of South Maple Street in Hazardville (Enfield).

Links:
Ed Wallace's Video
My Pictures

Scantic River Watershed Association

Scantic  Spring Splash