Blazing Blue Herons Canoe Team finds victory and adventure

By Edwina Gonzalez

Our team had a busy year leading up to a big event: the General Clinton Canoe Regatta on Memorial Day weekend. We had six girls make the trip up this year, four of whom are recent graduates, and eight volunteers. It was a cool, wet and muddy weekend, but we had three days on the water for practices and races. On Saturday, Lilah F. and Allie M. won first place in the 10-mile Girl Scout Intermediate Race; Valentina G., Cailyn Y., and Katelyn K. won first place in the 15-mile Girl Scout Relay Race; and Quinn O. and Katherine U. (alumnus) finished fifth in the 5-mile Open Race with an adult and a Girl Scout. Additionally, three Blazing Blue Heron alumni volunteered as race sweeps, with Nicole B. and Kayleigh A. sweeping the 15-mile race and Rosabella S. in one of the 5-mile races.

On Sunday, we had two canoes entered in the 15-mile Women's Stock Aluminum Race. Nicole B. and Kayleigh A. won fifth place; and Rosabella S. and Allie M. finished seventh.

Also on Sunday, we had our first Blazing Blue Heron in the 70-mile race from Cooperstown, NY to the race finish in Bainbridge, NY. Alumnus Katherine U. filled the third seat in a 4-person canoe of Virginia paddlers — with only three days’ notice! Katherine was up for the challenge and after paddling 8 hours 11 minutes and 41 seconds, their boat crossed the finish line, welcomed by the sounds of the largest cheering section for any endurance race boat. They won the C-4 Stock Endurance class race.

Girl Scouts in the 70-mile race from Cooperstown, NY to the race finish in Bainbridge, NY

Lilah F. and Allie M. won first place in the 10-mile Girl Scout Intermediate Race

Valentina G. Cailyn Y., and Katelyn K. won first place in the 15-mile Girl Scout Relay Race

Quinn O. and Katherine U. (alumnus) finished fifth in the 5-mile Open Race with an adult and a Girl Scout

In the 15-mile Women's Stock Aluminum Race, Nicole B. and Kayleigh A. won fifth place and Rosabella S. and Allie M. finished seventh

Girl Scout Blazing Blue Herons with their trophies, all smiles after the races

In June, the canoe team participated in Clean the Bay Day and helped clear trash from the water around Portsmouth City Park. They also participated in the Beaverdam Canoe Jam in Gloucester to end its season.

All this summer, Blazing Blue Herons team members and alumni enjoyed the outdoors. Katelyn K. and Cailyn Y. attended CIT camp at Camp Skimino; Allie M. attended the month-long GIT training at the Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base in the Boundary Waters; and alumni Rosabella S. and Katherine U. worked as wilderness guides at the Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base.

Looking ahead, the team will be going on an overnight, primitive camping trip at False Cape State Park on October 4-5. We'll be canoeing six miles each way with all of our gear; definitely not for inexperienced paddlers!

2026 will be the 50th Anniversary of the races at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta. We're hoping you love being on the water as much as we do and will join us next year.

How to Join the Team

Girls who are interested are welcome at our practice this Sunday, Sept. 21 or next Sunday, Sept. 28. Send us a message on Facebook or email us at blazingblueheronsgsccc@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming (and get directions on where to find us).

Join GSCCC at an upcoming event to try canoeing, yourself!

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