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Kayakers paddle around Buckley Island

Photo by Doug Loyer The Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club held its annual “Round the Island” Race on Sunday at Williamstown.

WILLIAMSTOWN — The sounds of kayak paddles slicing though the Ohio River water and a backdrop of sternwheelers lined up on the Ohio River Levee across the river under a clear blue sky set the scene for the start of the fourth annual “Round the Island Kayak, Canoe and SUP Race” on Sunday.

Nine kayakers participated in the informal race sponsored by the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club. The seven-mile course of the race started at the Williamstown Boat Ramp, went upriver on the Williamstown side of Buckley Island, back downriver on the Marietta side of the island and then finished back at the boat ramp.

Only kayaks participated in Sunday’s race, but it was open to paddlers with kayaks, canoes or stand up paddling (SUP) watercraft. The purpose of the event was to get people to enjoy water sports, outdoor activity and to raise awareness for the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club, which is a local group of cyclists, rowers, and paddlers.

“This is an informal event,” said Dan Jones, MRCC President. “Some want to go as fast as they can and others are enjoying a nice paddle with friends. This is a sport you do because you love it and just like to get out and paddle.”

MRCC is around 30-35 years old and has around 35 current members. The goal of the club is to get people out and be physically active by promoting water sports, bicycling and hiking.

Photo by Doug Loyer Steve Schoonover won this years “Round the Island Race” held by the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club on Sunday at the Williamstown Boat Ramp.

“This is a great way to get introduced to water sports and to meet a great group of people,” said MRCC member David Paskawych. Jones also offers classes instructing people on how to build their own kayaks. Some participants used the kayaks that they made for Sunday’s event.

Jay Smith, of Beverly, was one of those people that used the boat that he made in the class. His Coho High kayak was made from a Pygmy boat kit.

“This kayak handles beautifully! It really is a nice boat,” said Smith. “I’ve been kayaking now for four or five years. It’s a lot of fun and relaxing.”

The winner of this year’s race was Steve Schoonover, 55, of Marietta, in a time of 57 minutes and 2 seconds.

“This is a great local event,” he said. “It’s nice to do something close to home.”

Photo by Doug Loyer A.J. Ligas finishes strong at the finish near the Williamstown Boat Ramp.

Schoonover has been kayaking now for about 11 years and said it’s a great way to get exercise and have fun while doing it. In addition, he said that it’s easy on the joints.

He recommends for anyone thinking about trying kayaking to rent one and try it out, saying that it’s a great thing to get out and enjoy the peacefulness of being on the water. Schoonover said it’s a great sport and the MRCC has several events for kayaking throughout the year that people can enjoy.

“It’s awesome! You couldn’t ask for a nicer morning to be out here with the sternwheelers,” said A.J. Ligas, another of Sunday’s participants.

“After the race, I had to paddle over and get a closer look at the sternwheelers,” he said. “It was neat to see them from the river perspective!”

Nate Keegan grew up in Marietta and this past year has lived and worked in Houston. Because of Hurricane Harvey, the company he works for had to evacuate them so he was able to come back for a visit with family. He hopes to go back to Houston soon.

“This event was a ton of fun. Being out here in this setting this morning is something special,” Keegan said. “I’m glad to be a part of it.

“It’s awesome to get back here and have the backdrop of the (Ohio River) Sternwheel Festival,” said Keegan. “It’s great to have this opportunity!”

For long-time MRCC member Jean Leeper, of Marietta, it was her first time being in the race.

“I’m not paddling to win, just to enjoy the river,” said Leeper, adding that she’s not done much kayaking, but is used to paddling since she is a member of the dragon boat team, which works to raise cancer awareness.

“This is a new experience for me. I just like to being out on the river and looking at the city of Marietta from a different perspective,” said Leeper. “This is a relaxing sport. I think it’s a good way to find some serenity.”

A couple of upcoming events for the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club include the Williamstown Bicycle Ride on Sept. 17 and the Lowell to Marietta Paddle/Row (14 mile trip including Devol’s Lock-Through) on Sept. 30. For more MRCC information and events, visit MariettaRCC.org or call Dan Jones at 740-350-6418.

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