STOCKBRIDGE — The boat ramp at Stockbridge Bowl was filled with cars and car-top boats once again Wednesday night, as the Chocolate Bowl paddle race made its return after a year off for the pandemic.
On a rare dry and sunny Berkshire County evening, 39 boats entered the water and zipped around the perimeter of the bowl competing in 16 different categories. Meaning there was a lot of chocolate bars from Chocolate Springs to hand out.
Mike Armstrong paddles hard into the finish line to take first place among the paddle boarders in the Chocolate Bowl lake race, which was held this year after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl. Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Photos: The Chocolate Bowl paddle race at the Stockbridge Bowl
After being cancelled in 2020, the Chocolate Bowl lake race for kayakers, canoers and stand-up paddle boarders is back on at the Stockbridge Bowl. Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
To purchase these photos and more of the the Chocolate Bowl, click here.
Mike Armstrong paddles hard into the finish line to take first place among the paddle boarders in the Chocolate Bowl lake race, which was held this year after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl. Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Kurt Kuehnel paddles hard toward the finish line after completing two laps around the lake to take first place in the kayak race of the Chocolate Bowl at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Kurt Kuehnel paddles hard toward the finish line after completing two laps around the lake to take first place in the kayak race of the Chocolate Bowl at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Competitors arrive with their canoes, kayaks and paddle boards for the Chocolate Bowl lake race, back after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Competitors head toward the finish line in the Chocolate Bowl kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board race at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Ed Hamel and his grandkids, Lucie, 6, middle, and Max, 9, paddle to the finish line in their canoe during the Chocolate Bowl paddle race at the Stockbridge Bowl.
David Wiltey pushes hard to overtake Joel Pekosz just before the finish line during the kayak race in the Chocolate Bowl at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Daniel Brooks is all smiles as he cruises into the finish line after completing two laps around the lake in the Chocolate Bowl at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Del and Vicki Cummings speed into the finish line in their customized canoe during the Chocolate Bowl at the Stockbridge Bowl.
One-month-old lab mix, Toby, waits at the water’s edge for his dad to finish the Chocolate Bowl lake race, held again after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Holly Brouker laughs after finishing her one-lap recreational paddle in the Chocolate Bowl lake race, back after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Competitors arrive with their canoes, kayaks and paddle boards for the Chocolate Bowl lake race, back after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl.
Kayakers begin their race in the Chocolate Bowl paddle race last month.
Chocolates are ready as rewards and prized for finishers at the Chocolate Bowl lake race, held again after being cancelled in 2020, at the Stockbridge Bowl.
For some it was a return to normal, others a tune-up for September’s Josh Billings RunAground, and even more a chance to get out with family or friends and exercise.
Kurt Kuehnel was the overall champion, piloting his racing kayak two laps around in 46 minutes, 28 seconds.
Holly Brooker was actually the first paddler to cross the finish line, completing her one lap in the recreational category in 31:10.
Mike Armstrong, competing in the 3 1/2-mile standup paddleboard category, finished in 38:47.
The Chocolate Bowl and Aug. 27’s Cookie Bowl — another paddle race at Stockbridge Bowl — are being held this year as a fundraiser for NephCure Kidney International, a kidney disease research foundation, represented by Robert Gyurjan, whose Josh Billings team is Team RUKidneying me (teamRUK.com).
The Billings will also return to live, in-person competition this fall on Sunday, Sept. 19.
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Results
Racing Kayak
1. K. Kuehnel 46:28; 2. B. Ross 51:25; 3. J. Pekosz 51:56; 4. M. Wendolowski 52:51; 5. M. Levesque 55:30; 6. E. Dvorchak 59.17.
Kayak U40
1. D. Brooks n/a.
Kayak 40-60
1. R. Gyurjan 59:56; 2. K. Marsh 61:50; 3. B. Tatro 63:04.
Kayak 60-70
1. D. Wiltey 51:50; 2. R. Michalec 53:10; 3. S. Ray 55:21.
Kayak 70+
1. S. Greb 70:05.
Kayak U40 Female
1. M. Gajda 61:04.
Kayak 40-60 Female
1. L. Denmark 49:40.
Recreational Boat
1. H. Brokey 31:10; 2. G. Akabane 37:00; 3. P. Brecher 41:49; 4. K. Joyce 42:10; 5. E. Hamel/L. Hamel/M. Hamel 48:00.
Canoe Mixed Double
1. D. Cummings/N. Cummings 53:33; 2. P. Spector/B. Duquette 58:40.
Outrigger Canoe
1. A. Goodman/K. Wells 57:40.
Canoe 40-60
1. 1. T. Allen 61:23; 2. A. Minkler 61:56.
Canoe 60-70
1. J. DeFeo 60:18; 2. R. McMahon 62:06; 3. J. Roberts 70:05.
Canoe 70+
1. P. Dyka 59:26; 2. J. Casale 59:51; 3. B. Allen 68:37.
Canoe Double 40-60
1. J. Madore/M. Fairchild 52:03.
Canoe Double 60-70
1. T. Minkler/G. Quadrozzi 58:12.
Standup Paddleboard
1. M. Armstrong 38:47; 2. C. Walton 39:43; 3. V. Vienneau 41:33; 4. M. Walsh 46:15.