Regatta Highlights

The15th Annual Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta was a sight to see! There were ten Drift Boat competitors and three Raft River Clean-Up participants. The weather was beautiful! Spectators, volunteers, and participants all enjoyed a wonderful barbecue lunch at Eagle Landing Resort. Dakota Reeves was busy on the grill making hamburgers and hotdogs for all attendees. Side dishes provided by the Chamber included potato salad, baked beans, chips, and soda. The sun was shining, and people were able to eat while enjoying the festivities in the sun!

As the start time approached, the Drift Boat Competitors hopped into their boats and began to line up across the river in front of Eagle Landing. Promptly at 1:00 pm, volunteer, Lisa Dickinson, initiated the race with the shot gun start. Competitors pulled up their anchors and took to the oars. They were off!

Right from the get-go, friendly rivalry was in the air as the 2018 champion, Dave Maternowksi and his new racing partner Evan Wilson from Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA), raced the 2019 defending champions, Tommy Balk and Sean Coe from Drifters. All while the former third placed winners, Russ Farrington and Mike Adams, were hot on their heels. For the first portion of the race these three boats were neck and neck. As competitors raced along, the first team to hit Princess Rapids did so in 11 minutes and 53 seconds!

Behind them in a red drift boat was Scott Lynn and David Bose from Gwin’s Lodge, David Story and Patrick from AWA, and racing for Wildman’s, Will Meni and Kristen Peters with their friend, Mary Kate. Followed by the Sullivan family racing for The Hutch B&B, AWA’s Dillon and Walker, Travis Gravel and Michael Deegan, from Two Brothers, and Shannon Martin with her dad, John Smart.

As teams started passing river mile 83, by Alaska Rivers Company, the heat was on. Drifter’s, Balk and Coe’s boat had taken the lead, but not by much. AWA’s Maternowski and Wilson...

were roughly 50 feet behind, with Farrington and Adams edging steadily closer. At this location Gwin’s Lynn and Bose pulled ahead of AWA’s Story and Patrick. Followed by The Hutch B&B Sullivans, AWA’s Dillion and Walker, Wildman’s Meni and Peters, Two Brother’s Gravel and Deegan, and Martin and Smart.

Following this point, the race placements began to turn. Drifter’s Balk/Coe took a significant lead and arrived at the West bridge into Cooper Landing in 47 minutes and 37 seconds. Followed by AWA’s Maternowski/Wilson, Farrington/Adams, Gwin’s Lynn/Bose, and AWA’s Story/Patrick. Wildman’s Meni/Peters put in some gusto and passed the Sullivans and AWA’s Dillion/ Walker to gain sixth place. However, Dillion/ Walker were rowing hard to regain the position and passed the Sullivan’s in the process.

Nearing the end of the race, Drifter’s Balk/Coe remained in the lead and passed the finish line with a time of one hour and six seconds. Nail biting excitement ensued when AWA’s Maternowski/Wilson and Farrington/ Adams rounded the corner. The two teams were neck and neck and giving it their all to claim second place. Maternowski/Wilson put in the muscle and passed the finished line a mere hair before Farrington/Adams.

Gwin’s Lynn/Bose came in fourth, followed by AWA’s Story/Patrick, Wildman’s Meni/Peters, and AWA’s Dillion/Walker. In eighth place, the Sullivan family took a moment to give a rowing lesson to their oldest. Battling for the highly regarded Red Lantern Award was Two Brother’s Gravel/ Deegan, and Martin/Smart. In the end, the award went to Martin/Smart with a time of one hour, thirty-five minutes, and four seconds. Times for all teams can be found in the chart on the following page.

SATURDAY, MAY 20TH

Schedule

11:45 am — to 12:30 pm Boats in Water at Eagle Landing Resort

12:00 pm — Pre-Race Barbecue at Eagle Landing Resort

1:00 pm — Official Drift Boat Regatta Start

1:30 pm — Official Raft River Clean Up Start

4:00 pm — Regatta & Raft Clean Up Complete at Sportsman’s Boat Launch

4:30 pm — Awards and Door Prizes at Sunrise Inn

All proceeds raised from this event are donated to the Kenai River Sportfishing Association.

DRIFT BOAT REGATTA

ENTRY FEE- $50 PER BOAT

Open to 18ft to 20ft Aluminum Drift Boats.

1st Place Prize — $400

2nd Place Prize $200

3rd Place Prize $100

Rafts

ENTRY FEE- $40 PER RAFT

Open to all 10ft and up inflatable rafts. Help clean up trash along the river banks for spring clean up. All participants are entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Costume Award for the boat with the best dressed participants.

HOW TO ENTER:

For a complete list of rules and registration visit our website at: www.cooperlandingchamber.com/regatta

All entrants must register by May 13th

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

For more information email us at: info@cooperlandingchamber.com

Sunrise Happenings

Sunrise Inn is happy to be hosting our second annual Sunrise Music Festival over Memorial Weekend, May 26th, 27th and 28th. We have 20 bands committed. There is a list in the bar of all the bands and we have a Facebook page under the name Sunrise Festival. Check it out! We are still looking for craft, resale clothing, or any other vendors. We have 4 food trucks already signed up. Please help get the word out and join us for this exciting event.

We are still looking for a couple line cooks, servers and a bartender. Please call me if you are interested. Part time is available.

We will also be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14th from 10 am until 1pm. There will be champagne and chocolate involved as well as roast beef and lots of wonderful side dishes. Reservations are requested. Here’s to a busy, sunny, wonderful summer to everyone.

Mother’s Day Bruch

Sunday, May 14th 10 am to 1 pm Call