The cannon blasted repeatedly over Lake Flower to signal the beginning of the multitude of events at the Willard Hanmer Guideboat, Canoe and Kayak Races in Saranac Lake. The races are a mix of tradition, community fun and friendly competition for youth and adults in guideboats, canoes and kayaks.
Back on the traditional course after a one - year visit to Lake Colby, The Hanmer races, named after Traditional Guideboat Builder, Willard Hanmer, are a community celebration where the guideboat takes center stage. To entice the guideboat community to bring their craft to the water, Chris Covert, of Guide Boat Realty offered a $1000 purse for the one and two person races. Hanmer Champ Tony Duprey demonstrated his winning form in the One Person Guideboat Race; Rick Marchant and Julie Almeter won the Two Person Guideboat Race in a boat built by Saranac Lake boat builder Ralph Moreau, and Douglas Gray and Lee Gray, with a combined age of 134 years, captured first place in the Grandaddy Guideboat category.
Recreational Canoe and Kayak Races, featuring families and friends went 5 miles down the Saranac River, and the Stock and Amateur Racing Canoes and Kayaks went 10 miles on the lake and down the river. The Youth races, the flat water slalom races, the two person guideboat races, and the relay races all took place on Lake Flower. The parade of guideboats, serenaded by The Astounding Trombone Trio, featured a mix of traditional and modern boats built by Chris Woodward, Joe Spadaro, Steve Kaulbach, Pat Brown, Ralph Moreau and Grant.
During the races, several organizations were on hand to enhance the atmosphere. The Kiwanis Club grilled up good things to eat, The Rotary Club sold cotton candy, Parties Unlimited, sponsored by the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, offered a Bounce House for fun for the kids, The Red Cross Quick Response Communication Team monitored the course by radio. Adirondack Paddlers provided a slalom course.
The final events of the day, The Colby Cup and Rub a Dub Dub Relays met the expectations for fun and folly! Wagner's Chiropractic Crew took first place in the 8 person relay sponsored by Evergreen Auto Center, outdistancing a young Ampersand Bay entry. Team Lake Placid cruised to victory loaded with 4 people in the Rub a Dub sponsored by I.B. Hunt. All finishers were winners with gift certificates and prizes furnished by many local businesses.
Hanmer plaques, trophies, awards and gift certificates were given out in the park after the relay races. The winner of the handcrafted cedar Adirondack Chair and Table, made by Hanmer guideboat champ Tim Doyle, was Yvon Ranger of Alexandria, Ontario. A post race reception, sponsored by Don Scammel Inc., for all winners and participants was held at the Waterhole Upstairs immediately following the presentation of awards.
EVENT SPONSORS INCLUDED: Guideboat Realty, The Adirondack Daily Enterprise, I. B. Hunt Insurance & Real Estate, The Blue Moon Café & Cold River Coffee, Evergreen Auto Center, MAC'S Canoe Livery, The Saranac Lake Kiwanis, Tim Doyle's Adirondack Furniture, Woodward's Guideboat Shop, Adirondack Lakes and Trails, Saranac Lake Kiwanis, Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club, The Lodge on Lake Clear, Grasse River Boatworks, Wenonah Canoes, ACE Kayaks, Gauthier's Saranac Lake Motor Inn, and the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
MISSION STATEMENT - The Hanmer Races are contests including guide boats, canoes and kayaks for all levels of competitors held as part of the 4th of July weekend on Lake Flower and the Saranac River involving the Saranac Lake Community as spectators and participants through the spirit of friendly rivalry.
