A Monster of a Race

STORY BY Lumen Bardot

PHOTOS COURTESY Youghness Monster Paddlesports Race

As summer begins to take hold in the Laurel Highlands each May, paddlers of all stripes from across the country converge upon Connellsville, Pennsylvania, to embark upon a 22mile journey down the Youghiogheny River in the annual Youghness (pronounced ‘yock-ness’) Monster Paddlesports Race.

Hansel Lucas is one of the founders of the race, which first hit the waters of the Youghiogheny in 2018. He competes in kayak races across the country. In 2005, he won rookie of the year at the Pittsburgh Adventure Race. He has also placed in the top 10 of several regional multisport adventure races with several wins.

“Western Pennsylvania didn’t have an event like this,” Lucas says. “We wanted to start a new event similar to those held in Ohio and Eastern Pennsylvania, and here we are now.”

Lucas, along with race co-founder Steve Brunner, initially had the finish line in West Newton, but the popularity of the event and the subsequent parking needs quickly outgrew the location. The finish line is now at the Cedar Creek County Park in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, which offers plenty of room for the growing event.

“We typically see anywhere from 50 to 80 participants, and with the pandemic now nearly behind us, we expect to see at least 80 participants this year,” Lucas says. “We have boaters coming here to race from across the country, from Florida to Massachusetts and as far away as California. Our participants typically come from about 10 to 17 different states.” The timed race offers a wide variety of classes for kayakers, canoers, and stand-up paddleboarders with tandem and solo designations along with age and gender designations. Awards are given to the top three participants in each class, along with the top three fastest times in singles overall for male and female racers. The full list of race classes and other event details can be found on the event’s registration page.

Along the route, racers traverse through 22 miles of calm waters and Class I and II rapids as they wind through the scenic Laurel Highlands to Belle Vernon, where several local businesses and organizations are on-site to assist with the event.

“At the finish line, we will have food and refreshments available for finishers,” says Lucas. “Our sponsor, Bloom Brewery of West Newton, will be in attendance. Uniontown KOA Campgrounds provides shuttle service back to the starting line and assists with setting up the picnic-style lunch.”

Throughout the day of the race, the Connellsville Fire Department monitors the 22-mile stretch of river with patrol boats on the water and ground support ATVs on the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail that runs along the river.

“Proceeds from the event go to benefit the Connellsville Fire Department,” Lucas says. “We also direct some of the proceeds to benefit KOA Care Camps, which offer summer camping experiences to children battling cancer at no cost to them or their families.”

Lucas says new participants for this year can expect a fun event in the great outdoors with plenty of camaraderie among all in attendance.

“Everybody is open to helping one another and making sure participants have the best experience possible,” Lucas says. “The ‘Youghness Monster 22 Paddlesports Race’ Facebook page is a great resource for information on the race, boat types, and more. We are happy to answer all of your questions there.”

For those in need of a boat or equipment to paddle in the race, Lucas owns and operates Performance Kayak & Surfski Inc. of Brookville, Pennsylvania. The team at Performance Kayak is ready to help and offers a wide variety of boats, paddles, gear, and accessories for all ages and ability levels. Learn more at www.performance-kayak.com.

This year’s Youghness Monster 22 Paddlesports Race kicks off at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 21, at the Connellsville Boat Ramp. Participants should visit the event’s page on www.paddleguru.com to register for the race and view all of the event details including timing, locations, and race classes.