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June, 2007
Paddler Profiles by Paula: Jeff Owen
Q & A by Paula Jean Lunt
Who is Jeff Owen?
I’m 41 years old, married for five years to Susannah. We have two kids—4-year-old Katie and 3-year-old Tommy. Susannah and I both grew up in Orono, a couple years apart. I’m finishing my second year of teaching Earth and Physical Science at Orono High School, and have taught a total of about 15 years at schools across the state.
Winning the Kenduskeag this year was awesome, what was that like?
The Kenduskeag this year was an absolute blast. We really wanted to be the fastest canoe, and when the water got so high we began to believe we could break our old canoe record. It was a huge surprise to win overall. We’ve always thought that the fastest kayaks were untouchable. Extra high, fast water reduces the differences between types of boats. And this year that gave us just enough of an advantage.
How did you get into paddling?
When our family first moved to Maine in 1968, my dad, Bucky, began whitewater canoe racing. His primary partner for quite a few years was Frank Woodard, although he raced, I think, two seasons with my mom, Sue. My first race was with my dad in the Upper Dead Sprint. We entered the family class, and hit a rock in Lower Ledge Falls so hard that I shot out of the bow like a canon ball, landing high and dry on shore. (I still have a scar to prove it!) That was when I was about 10. I paddled the Kenduskeag the next two years with my mom, and then began racing all the spring races with my dad in the family class. Meanwhile, Frank Woodard began racing with his son, Steve, too! When Steve and I outgrew the family class we began racing together, and have been ever since. My dad still races every spring, mostly with Dick Storch. But we’ve begun reserving the Passagassawakeag River to race together in the century class.
I know you went to MA to do the Charles; did you finish where you thought you would? How is the competition there compared to Maine?
We finished 12th of 28 in the Pro Marathon at the Charles, with a time of about 3:30. It was the third time we’ve raced there, and it was by far our best showing. We drafted better than ever before, portaged fast, and felt as if we paddled strongly all the way to the finish. The top team was roughly 15 minutes ahead of us, showing the caliber of teams that compete there.
I remember a few years ago you wiped out on the Marsh Stream, what actually happened? How did that affect your paddling? Is the shoulder 100% now?
That shoulder dislocation has been my only paddling injury. It happened on the entry to the roadside drop that ends the Marsh Stream Sprint. I was paddling C-1, and planted my paddle to spin the boat to line it up for the drop. The plant landed on a rock and the energy of the motion popped out my right shoulder. I think that was three springs ago. Even after surgery the shoulder isn’t quite right. Following any hard workout it aches, and I dread having to slap down a brace on my right side.
What keeps you going? Do you wish to paddle forever? Do you have accomplishments in paddling you hope to meet?
Paddling is truly a lifelong sport. Steve and I talk a lot about this, and we hope to race together until we die. It is so inspiring to see 60, 70 and 80-year-olds paddle hard and well in the flat-water marathons. My dad, turning 70 this year, is still racing the whitewater circuit.
Steve and I have set two goals—(1) to be ready every year for record-setting water at the Kenduskeag (‘cause we want to be the team to break it if it’s going to be broken!), and (2) to improve every year in our attempts at flat-water racing. Some day we hope to be Top 5 at the Charles and Top 15 in the Pro class at the Clinton.
I know you were present at the Paddle Smart Symposium, how did that go? What did you hope to accomplish? You are also paddling during the week and inviting others to join you, why the interest in doing paddles like that?
Our sport, competitive paddling, is a life-long sport that utilizes important natural resources. I can’t emphasize enough how important it has been for me. I have grown to cherish clean waterways, intact shorelines, and abundant wildlife and waterfowl. These things need to be important to everyone, and, everyone needs a way to exercise and exhaust their bodies in healthy ways. I’ve reached a point in my life where I’ve recognized that I may be able to help others experience these things, and I’m exploring ways of doing this. I’m currently trying to get kids involved, beginning with my students at Orono High. There are lots of experienced paddlers in the area who are willing to bring boats to share, and I’m hoping to tap that resource in the days to come.
Correction:
In last issue’s profile on Bob Martin and Richie Bartlett an error was made on the year the team had the fastest canoe time on the Kenduskeag … it was actually 1994.
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