Lew Gilman and Sonny Colburn
Lew Gilman (left) and Sonny Colburn
We begin with this simple truth: without Lewellyn "Spook" Gilman and Edwin "Sonny" Colburn, the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race wouldn't exist.
The founding fathers of the race - both of whom are depicted on the iconic race decals - came up with the idea seemingly overnight in 1967 at a time when Bangor Parks and Recreation needed a new fundraising event. A bicycle race the city had previously sponsored "went zilch", according to Sonny Colburn, so the concept had to be reworked. The rest, as they say, is history.
Lew Gilman, who passed away at age 81 on August 18, 2011, led a remarkable life of innovation. Gifted with a natural grasp of mechanics, chemistry and plastics, Gilman designed and influenced several canoes for Old Town Canoe including the ubiquitous Discovery model and the popular Tripper model among others. In his obituary it was noted that Lew "revolutionized the canoe industry by revamping the thermoforming process for ABS plastic canoes."
Ed "Sonny" Colburn passed at age 93 on February 20, 2026. Sonny grew up in Bangor and has been described by many as a gregarious man with "a big personality" who loved his family and the outdoors. Colburn managed Bangor Furniture and pursued many outdoor interests in addition to his association with the Anah Shriners in Bangor.
Gilman and Colburn met while in high school and again later while both served in the Air National Guard, where they strengthened their friendship. A devoted family man who loved the outdoors and inventing things, Gilman's favorite saying was "the impossible just takes longer."
After the two met over beers at Miller's Restaurant to discuss the concept of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, it was Lew Gilman who pushed and prodded Colburn into pursuing the idea with Bangor Parks and Recreation, then located just "three doors down" from Bangor Furniture.
When the inaugural race launched in 1967, Colburn was often too busy organizing the race to actually participate in it. But Colburn and Gilman did paddle the Kenduskeag together as a team a number of times, including the 25th Silver Anniversary Race held in 1991.
Over half a century later, the dream of Lew Gilman and Sonny Colburn lives on.
“Lew and Sonny were definitely the icons of this race.”
- Debbie Gendreau, Assistant Bangor Parks and Recreation director
“We owe a lot to them, what they did to get this race started and to the longevity of the race. To have this still going for over 50 years is truly a testament to them and to what they did to develop this event. They are legends of canoeing in the area and in the state.”
- Tracy Willette, Director of the Bangor Parks and Recreation
“I think the spectators are what makes the race so much fun. They make the race special.”
- Lew "Spook" Gilman
"I want everybody to have a good time and smile, even if they're going to get wet."
- Ed "Sonny" Colburn
The founding fathers of the race - both of whom are depicted on the iconic race decals - came up with the idea seemingly overnight in 1967 at a time when Bangor Parks and Recreation needed a new fundraising event. A bicycle race the city had previously sponsored "went zilch", according to Sonny Colburn, so the concept had to be reworked. The rest, as they say, is history.
Lew Gilman, who passed away at age 81 on August 18, 2011, led a remarkable life of innovation. Gifted with a natural grasp of mechanics, chemistry and plastics, Gilman designed and influenced several canoes for Old Town Canoe including the ubiquitous Discovery model and the popular Tripper model among others. In his obituary it was noted that Lew "revolutionized the canoe industry by revamping the thermoforming process for ABS plastic canoes."
Ed "Sonny" Colburn passed at age 93 on February 20, 2026. Sonny grew up in Bangor and has been described by many as a gregarious man with "a big personality" who loved his family and the outdoors. Colburn managed Bangor Furniture and pursued many outdoor interests in addition to his association with the Anah Shriners in Bangor.
Gilman and Colburn met while in high school and again later while both served in the Air National Guard, where they strengthened their friendship. A devoted family man who loved the outdoors and inventing things, Gilman's favorite saying was "the impossible just takes longer."
After the two met over beers at Miller's Restaurant to discuss the concept of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, it was Lew Gilman who pushed and prodded Colburn into pursuing the idea with Bangor Parks and Recreation, then located just "three doors down" from Bangor Furniture.
When the inaugural race launched in 1967, Colburn was often too busy organizing the race to actually participate in it. But Colburn and Gilman did paddle the Kenduskeag together as a team a number of times, including the 25th Silver Anniversary Race held in 1991.
Over half a century later, the dream of Lew Gilman and Sonny Colburn lives on.
“Lew and Sonny were definitely the icons of this race.”
- Debbie Gendreau, Assistant Bangor Parks and Recreation director
“We owe a lot to them, what they did to get this race started and to the longevity of the race. To have this still going for over 50 years is truly a testament to them and to what they did to develop this event. They are legends of canoeing in the area and in the state.”
- Tracy Willette, Director of the Bangor Parks and Recreation
“I think the spectators are what makes the race so much fun. They make the race special.”
- Lew "Spook" Gilman
"I want everybody to have a good time and smile, even if they're going to get wet."
- Ed "Sonny" Colburn
Zip Kellogg
Zip Kellogg stylishly negotiating the rapids of the Kenduskeag (photo by Michael Alden)
Zip Kellogg is unquestionably a perennial favorite at the Kenduskeag amongst paddlers, spectators and fans alike and he has been for decades. Often dressed in more formal attire than his fellow racers and with the bow of his canoe usually festooned with a bouquet of flowers, Zip Kellogg brings a touch of class, humor, skill and color to a canoe race which is often described as a rite of spring after a long winter.
Zip stands out. Literally. He handily negotiates Six Mile Falls and other trickier rapids along the stream while standing upright in his canoe, wielding an extra long paddle for balance. Underneath the dapper exterior, however, Zip wears a wetsuit and a PFD. "Safety in early spring is critical."
Zip Kellogg grew up with the Kenduskeag Stream in his backyard and began paddling at a young age with his friends. Contrary to what some might think, Zip doesn't stand upright while shooting the rapids for show (although it is an entertaining side effect, it must be said) but rather to better survey the stream in order to line up his canoe properly and to choose the best path.
A reference librarian at the University of Southern Maine for many years (he has since retired), Zip is the author of The Whole Paddlers Catalog, a highly interesting compendium of tips, resources, quotes and inspiration for paddlers. (Grab a copy on the used market if you find one).
Zip has also written about watershed conservation and environmental issues. In an essay he wrote which was included in Fern Stearn's Tales of the Kenduskeag, Kellogg pointed out that the Kenduskeag Stream was once so polluted with sewage and industrial waste from local mills that Sonny Colburn couldn't play near the stream as a youngster. "Shouldn't a stream which has recognition in Okinawa deserve to be treated with dignity by its own neighbors?"
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race nothwithstanding, Zip is known as a prolific paddler who has traveled extensively around Maine to paddle on an incalculable number of streams and rivers.
"Chances are if you have driven a vehicle over a bridge in Maine, I have been under it in a canoe."
Zip stands out. Literally. He handily negotiates Six Mile Falls and other trickier rapids along the stream while standing upright in his canoe, wielding an extra long paddle for balance. Underneath the dapper exterior, however, Zip wears a wetsuit and a PFD. "Safety in early spring is critical."
Zip Kellogg grew up with the Kenduskeag Stream in his backyard and began paddling at a young age with his friends. Contrary to what some might think, Zip doesn't stand upright while shooting the rapids for show (although it is an entertaining side effect, it must be said) but rather to better survey the stream in order to line up his canoe properly and to choose the best path.
A reference librarian at the University of Southern Maine for many years (he has since retired), Zip is the author of The Whole Paddlers Catalog, a highly interesting compendium of tips, resources, quotes and inspiration for paddlers. (Grab a copy on the used market if you find one).
Zip has also written about watershed conservation and environmental issues. In an essay he wrote which was included in Fern Stearn's Tales of the Kenduskeag, Kellogg pointed out that the Kenduskeag Stream was once so polluted with sewage and industrial waste from local mills that Sonny Colburn couldn't play near the stream as a youngster. "Shouldn't a stream which has recognition in Okinawa deserve to be treated with dignity by its own neighbors?"
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race nothwithstanding, Zip is known as a prolific paddler who has traveled extensively around Maine to paddle on an incalculable number of streams and rivers.
"Chances are if you have driven a vehicle over a bridge in Maine, I have been under it in a canoe."
Fern Stearns
Fern Stearns (in the bow) with her husband, Bill Stearns
Perhaps the best way to write an entry about Fern Stearns is to listen to what a couple of longtime friends have said about Fern and her late husband Bill, who passed in 2010.
Allan Fuller: "Fern and Bill Stearns were the top couples paddlers for a number of years in the State of Maine. I don't know that they ever lost a canoe race in the C2 Mixed. They were one big reason why Bangor Parks and Recreation created a Beginner Class for the Kenduskeag. No other couple could beat Bill and Fern!"
Bucky Owen: "Sue (Bucky's wife) and I took on Bill and Fern in the early 1970s in the Kenduskeag Canoe Race; BIG mistake! We stayed with them for 10 miles and when we hit the whitewater, it was all over. One year Bill, Fern, and I plus one other took a batteau over Flour Mill rather than try to portage it. Good memories."
In addition to paddling in countless races and winning awards and championships, both Fern and Bill were faculty members at the University of Maine Orono, where they taught mathematics. Between raising a family and racing, Bill designed and built boats and Fern authored several books, including Tales of the Kenduskeag, a collection of essays which often inform this website. Fern also authored Nahanni Reflections, Once Upon A Farm and was the co-author of The Canoeist's Catalog with Bill.
Fern and Bill were two of the founding members of the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society (PPCS), a non-profit organization of outdoor-loving people, with membership primarily from Maine.
Allan Fuller recalls watching the dynamic duo as they paddled down any given stream or river:
"They were smooth and always in unison, poetry in motion and fun to watch. They were in a class by themselves."
Allan Fuller: "Fern and Bill Stearns were the top couples paddlers for a number of years in the State of Maine. I don't know that they ever lost a canoe race in the C2 Mixed. They were one big reason why Bangor Parks and Recreation created a Beginner Class for the Kenduskeag. No other couple could beat Bill and Fern!"
Bucky Owen: "Sue (Bucky's wife) and I took on Bill and Fern in the early 1970s in the Kenduskeag Canoe Race; BIG mistake! We stayed with them for 10 miles and when we hit the whitewater, it was all over. One year Bill, Fern, and I plus one other took a batteau over Flour Mill rather than try to portage it. Good memories."
In addition to paddling in countless races and winning awards and championships, both Fern and Bill were faculty members at the University of Maine Orono, where they taught mathematics. Between raising a family and racing, Bill designed and built boats and Fern authored several books, including Tales of the Kenduskeag, a collection of essays which often inform this website. Fern also authored Nahanni Reflections, Once Upon A Farm and was the co-author of The Canoeist's Catalog with Bill.
Fern and Bill were two of the founding members of the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society (PPCS), a non-profit organization of outdoor-loving people, with membership primarily from Maine.
Allan Fuller recalls watching the dynamic duo as they paddled down any given stream or river:
"They were smooth and always in unison, poetry in motion and fun to watch. They were in a class by themselves."
Chip Loring
Chip Loring and Bangor Parks and Recreation assistant director Debbie Gendreau
Chip Loring of Old Town, Maine brings decades of experience to any race he attends, which partly explains his easy familiarity among race fans and returning spectators not only at the Kenduskeag but at many other races as well. "Oh hey! I know that guy!"
Loring has competed in countless races (including the juggernaut Yukon 1000) and he has also paddled in an impressive array of classes: solo, tandem, war canoes and dragon boats to name a few, often with different race partners or with his friend Terry Wescott, both longstanding members of MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization).
A vastly experienced paddler, Chip Loring is also one of the most respected. Loring maintains an interest in bringing young people into the sport of paddling: "If young kids can paddle and see someone older paddling too, it gives them incentive."
A member of the Penobscot tribe, Loring participated in a ceremonial paddle down the Penobscot River from Old Town to Bangor after the removal of the Veazie Dam as part of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, one of the largest projects of its kind in US history.
“Someday we’ll be able to paddle on the river our ancestors used to paddle."
Loring has competed in countless races (including the juggernaut Yukon 1000) and he has also paddled in an impressive array of classes: solo, tandem, war canoes and dragon boats to name a few, often with different race partners or with his friend Terry Wescott, both longstanding members of MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization).
A vastly experienced paddler, Chip Loring is also one of the most respected. Loring maintains an interest in bringing young people into the sport of paddling: "If young kids can paddle and see someone older paddling too, it gives them incentive."
A member of the Penobscot tribe, Loring participated in a ceremonial paddle down the Penobscot River from Old Town to Bangor after the removal of the Veazie Dam as part of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, one of the largest projects of its kind in US history.
“Someday we’ll be able to paddle on the river our ancestors used to paddle."
Terry Wescott
Terry Wescott (left) at the Yukon 1000 River Race along with paddling partner Brad Krog
Terry Wescott might hail from Thorndike, Maine but his true home is clearly on the river. Nicknamed "The River Troll", Wescott is one of the most prolific Maine racers ever. He has paddled in over 500 races, has paddled the St. John River over 40 times and the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race over 43 times.
In 2016, Wescott and his paddling partner Brad Krog were the overall winners of the Yukon 1000, the longest canoe race in the world which begins in Canada and ends in Alaska. (As if that feat weren't impressive enough, Wescott and Krog were the oldest paddlers to win this grueling race up to that point; Wescott was 67 and Krog was 63.)
Wescott has also won several WWOC National Championship awards and is the recipient of a Maine Legislative Award.
And along with all of these accolades, Terry Wescott is also known to make room for anyone who wants to paddle with him. As with Chip Loring, his friend going back to high school, Terry Wescott serves as a mentor for young paddlers who are interested in the sport.
Wescott also finds solace on the water.
"Paddling is something to keep the mind going and keep the mind off bad things. It kind of keeps you sane. Even when you’re pounding, racing for a long time, it’s peaceful. Most places you go, you’re out in the country for just miles and miles.”
In 2016, Wescott and his paddling partner Brad Krog were the overall winners of the Yukon 1000, the longest canoe race in the world which begins in Canada and ends in Alaska. (As if that feat weren't impressive enough, Wescott and Krog were the oldest paddlers to win this grueling race up to that point; Wescott was 67 and Krog was 63.)
Wescott has also won several WWOC National Championship awards and is the recipient of a Maine Legislative Award.
And along with all of these accolades, Terry Wescott is also known to make room for anyone who wants to paddle with him. As with Chip Loring, his friend going back to high school, Terry Wescott serves as a mentor for young paddlers who are interested in the sport.
Wescott also finds solace on the water.
"Paddling is something to keep the mind going and keep the mind off bad things. It kind of keeps you sane. Even when you’re pounding, racing for a long time, it’s peaceful. Most places you go, you’re out in the country for just miles and miles.”
Dick Hanson
Dick Hanson after the 54th Kenduskeag in 2021
A writeup for Dick Hanson is forthcoming. If you know Mr. Hanson and would like to contribute to a writeup, please contact me. Thanks!
Bucky Owen
Bucky Owen after the 55th Kenduskeag in 2022
Information about Bucky Owen is forthcoming.
Dirigo Search & Rescue
Dave Martin of Dirigo Search and Rescue accepting the Legends of Paddling Award after the 56th Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race on April 15, 2023
"Dirigo search and rescue was founded in 1969 by Dave and Al Martin, two years after the very first Kenduskeag stream canoe race.
The Martins saw the need for a search and rescue organization in Maine, so they started this team with the thought of helping the outdoors community, one of those activities being the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. Although it might not have been on their minds that first year in 1969, Dirigo became an integral part of the race.
Though the exact date they started assisting paddlers may be lost to the tides, we can say that with certainty that Dirigo has been on the shores for more than 50 years. From record low waters to record high waters, members of Dirigo and the Search & Rescue community under the direction of Dave Martin have provided an exceptional service that makes this race possible.
Dirigo Search and Rescue have groomed all of its members to become outstanding people of the community. Teens have left the organization and gone on to become members of the United States Coast Guard, Army (often as medics), Marine Corps and also as Navy fighter pilots. All of these members have stood on the banks of the Kenduskeag and pulled countless paddlers out. These responsibilities have propelled them into becoming the service minded individuals they are today.
An incredible number of hours go into organizing the safety for this race and the Martin Brothers would basically take on the task of organizing, preparing, and running the shore-based safety. At the height of membership, Dirigo had 50+ members spread along the stream from Cedar Falls rapids to Harlow Bridge and everything in between. They helped pull cold, wet and tired paddlers from the waters of the Kenduskeag, treating minor injuries and hypothermia.
From the tallest mountaintop in Maine to the shores of the Kenduskeag, Dirigo Search and Rescue has provided Maine with exceptional wilderness lifesaving services to the outdoor community and had some pretty outstanding members pass through its organization. Dave Martin and Dirigo Search & Rescue have truly been an exceptional assets to the race.
So at this time we would like to recognize this amazing and dedicated group of people, Dirigo Search and Rescue, as this year’s recipient of our very own Legends Of Paddling Award."
- Debbie Gendreau
Assistant Director, Bangor Parks & Recreation
April 15, 2023
Postscript: Dirigo Search and Rescue ended operations in 2023. "It's with great sadness that we have made the very hard choice that after 54 years this will be our last search season. With the changing times, it's time to step away and let the next generation take over. We appreciate and care for all our followers and former members who have made the past 54 years so memorable, exciting and fun. You can follow along with the next generation by visiting Maine Association for Search And Rescue (MASAR).
The Martins saw the need for a search and rescue organization in Maine, so they started this team with the thought of helping the outdoors community, one of those activities being the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. Although it might not have been on their minds that first year in 1969, Dirigo became an integral part of the race.
Though the exact date they started assisting paddlers may be lost to the tides, we can say that with certainty that Dirigo has been on the shores for more than 50 years. From record low waters to record high waters, members of Dirigo and the Search & Rescue community under the direction of Dave Martin have provided an exceptional service that makes this race possible.
Dirigo Search and Rescue have groomed all of its members to become outstanding people of the community. Teens have left the organization and gone on to become members of the United States Coast Guard, Army (often as medics), Marine Corps and also as Navy fighter pilots. All of these members have stood on the banks of the Kenduskeag and pulled countless paddlers out. These responsibilities have propelled them into becoming the service minded individuals they are today.
An incredible number of hours go into organizing the safety for this race and the Martin Brothers would basically take on the task of organizing, preparing, and running the shore-based safety. At the height of membership, Dirigo had 50+ members spread along the stream from Cedar Falls rapids to Harlow Bridge and everything in between. They helped pull cold, wet and tired paddlers from the waters of the Kenduskeag, treating minor injuries and hypothermia.
From the tallest mountaintop in Maine to the shores of the Kenduskeag, Dirigo Search and Rescue has provided Maine with exceptional wilderness lifesaving services to the outdoor community and had some pretty outstanding members pass through its organization. Dave Martin and Dirigo Search & Rescue have truly been an exceptional assets to the race.
So at this time we would like to recognize this amazing and dedicated group of people, Dirigo Search and Rescue, as this year’s recipient of our very own Legends Of Paddling Award."
- Debbie Gendreau
Assistant Director, Bangor Parks & Recreation
April 15, 2023
Postscript: Dirigo Search and Rescue ended operations in 2023. "It's with great sadness that we have made the very hard choice that after 54 years this will be our last search season. With the changing times, it's time to step away and let the next generation take over. We appreciate and care for all our followers and former members who have made the past 54 years so memorable, exciting and fun. You can follow along with the next generation by visiting Maine Association for Search And Rescue (MASAR).
Larry Merrill
Information about Larry Merrill is forthcoming.
Clayton Cole
Clayton Cole accepting the Legends of Paddling Award after the 58th Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race on April 19, 2025
From Debbie Gendreau, Director of Bangor Parks and Recreation:
"It is with great honor to present the 2025 Legends of Paddling award to someone who truly embodies the spirit of this recognition, both as a paddler and as a pillar of race organization in our community.
Clayton Cole is not just a name many of us know, his is a name that echoes across the paddling world. A graduate of Northeastern University and a resident of Corinth since 1986, Clayton is the founder and president of Solartechnic Contractors LLC.
But today, we’re here to recognize a different kind of legacy, one that has flowed with the rivers and rapids for over four decades.
Clayton has served on the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Committee for more than 30 years. His insight, experience, and thoughtful feedback have been instrumental in shaping the race we all know and love. He has not only helped organize this race, but has also paddled it with skill and distinction.
His race results trace back as far as 1983, where we already see him finishing in the top three. Since then, he's been a regular force in the MACKRO racing series and beyond, participating in and winning countless races across the region — and out of state.
While Clayton has 26 Downriver and 11 Slalom National Championships and 746 races (and counting!) under his belt, Clayton’s contributions are not limited to competition. He has organized more races than most of us could count, across all disciplines — flatwater, downriver, slalom — and he’s done so with consistency, care, and a spirit of inclusivity. For over 20 years, he has organized the Kenduskeag Stream Slalom, a proud part of the New England Slalom Series.
Clayton Cole is more than a competitor or organizer — he is a mentor, a craftsman, a community builder, and truly one of the best paddlers in the state. Known and respected all over, his legacy is not just in his wins or his races, but in the generations of paddlers he’s helped inspire.
It is with deep respect and gratitude that we present the 2025 Legends of Paddling Award to Clayton Cole."
"It is with great honor to present the 2025 Legends of Paddling award to someone who truly embodies the spirit of this recognition, both as a paddler and as a pillar of race organization in our community.
Clayton Cole is not just a name many of us know, his is a name that echoes across the paddling world. A graduate of Northeastern University and a resident of Corinth since 1986, Clayton is the founder and president of Solartechnic Contractors LLC.
But today, we’re here to recognize a different kind of legacy, one that has flowed with the rivers and rapids for over four decades.
Clayton has served on the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Committee for more than 30 years. His insight, experience, and thoughtful feedback have been instrumental in shaping the race we all know and love. He has not only helped organize this race, but has also paddled it with skill and distinction.
His race results trace back as far as 1983, where we already see him finishing in the top three. Since then, he's been a regular force in the MACKRO racing series and beyond, participating in and winning countless races across the region — and out of state.
While Clayton has 26 Downriver and 11 Slalom National Championships and 746 races (and counting!) under his belt, Clayton’s contributions are not limited to competition. He has organized more races than most of us could count, across all disciplines — flatwater, downriver, slalom — and he’s done so with consistency, care, and a spirit of inclusivity. For over 20 years, he has organized the Kenduskeag Stream Slalom, a proud part of the New England Slalom Series.
Clayton Cole is more than a competitor or organizer — he is a mentor, a craftsman, a community builder, and truly one of the best paddlers in the state. Known and respected all over, his legacy is not just in his wins or his races, but in the generations of paddlers he’s helped inspire.
It is with deep respect and gratitude that we present the 2025 Legends of Paddling Award to Clayton Cole."
Bob Martin
Bob Martin at the Shopping Cart rapids outside of Bangor, 2023 (WABI-TV5)
After a hardworking career on the railroad, Bob Martin retired at the age of 55—but retirement for Bob simply meant more time to dedicate to the things and people he loves. A craftsman in every sense of the word, Bob has built each of his own homes with his own two hands, a reflection of both his talent and his unwavering work ethic.
But what truly sets Bob apart is his heart. Known far and wide as a “huge hugger,” Bob brings warmth and kindness wherever he goes. He has spent countless years teaching the art of canoeing, always taking the time to guide, encourage, and support others—whether they are first-time paddlers or seasoned racers. Even in the middle of competition, he’s the one stopping to lend a hand, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Bob Martin's commitment to the paddling community goes far beyond race day. Year after year, before the season even begins, he takes it upon himself to run the race routes and clear dangerous strainers from the streams—quietly ensuring the safety of everyone who follows. He’s the kind of person you’ll find along the shoreline, ready to jump in whenever someone needs help, never asking for recognition in return.
His paddling résumé is nothing short of remarkable. Bob has competed in the full Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) series—racing the St. George, the Passagassawakeag, the Souadabscook, the Marsh Stream, and of course the iconic Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, along with many more. Over the years, Bob has entered countless categories and achieved more top finishes than most could ever hope to tally.
And today marks an incredible milestone—his 54th time racing the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race out of its 59-year history. That kind of dedication is rare. That kind of passion is extraordinary.
It is with the deepest respect, admiration, and gratitude that we proudly present the 2026 Legends of Paddling Award to Robert (Bob) Martin.
- Debbie Gendreau, Assistant Director - Bangor Parks & Recreation
"It (the Kenduskeag) is kind of like the rites of spring. It’s fun to do. You have all of the family members of all the canoe people that do this. Where else could you have so much fun with 400 or 500 people on a beautiful day?”
- Bob Martin
But what truly sets Bob apart is his heart. Known far and wide as a “huge hugger,” Bob brings warmth and kindness wherever he goes. He has spent countless years teaching the art of canoeing, always taking the time to guide, encourage, and support others—whether they are first-time paddlers or seasoned racers. Even in the middle of competition, he’s the one stopping to lend a hand, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Bob Martin's commitment to the paddling community goes far beyond race day. Year after year, before the season even begins, he takes it upon himself to run the race routes and clear dangerous strainers from the streams—quietly ensuring the safety of everyone who follows. He’s the kind of person you’ll find along the shoreline, ready to jump in whenever someone needs help, never asking for recognition in return.
His paddling résumé is nothing short of remarkable. Bob has competed in the full Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) series—racing the St. George, the Passagassawakeag, the Souadabscook, the Marsh Stream, and of course the iconic Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, along with many more. Over the years, Bob has entered countless categories and achieved more top finishes than most could ever hope to tally.
And today marks an incredible milestone—his 54th time racing the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race out of its 59-year history. That kind of dedication is rare. That kind of passion is extraordinary.
It is with the deepest respect, admiration, and gratitude that we proudly present the 2026 Legends of Paddling Award to Robert (Bob) Martin.
- Debbie Gendreau, Assistant Director - Bangor Parks & Recreation
"It (the Kenduskeag) is kind of like the rites of spring. It’s fun to do. You have all of the family members of all the canoe people that do this. Where else could you have so much fun with 400 or 500 people on a beautiful day?”
- Bob Martin
Michael Alden's note: in lieu of formal footnotes, I would like to thank the following for their generous assistance in putting this page together: Bangor Daily News, WABI-TV5 Bangor, Fiddlehead Focus, Jim Smith, Fern Stearns, Maine Warmers, Kyle Duckworth, Allan Fuller, Bucky Owen, Paul Plumer and the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society, and Debbie Gendreau at Bangor Parks & Recreation.