After a two-year wait due to COVID, the Class of 2020 will be inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame during the 58th event, to be held May 27-29 in Bainbridge, NY. Among the inductees is local paddler, Bob Vincent.
Vincent had 31 regatta finishes between 1985-2019 and won seven C-2 events between Competition Cruising and Pro Masters divisions.
He has raced nearly every long-distance canoe event in North America with his partner Gwyn Hayman. At age 79, Vincent is affectionately known in Ontario as “the godfather of canoe racing”. His most recent General Clinton Regatta victory came with son Mike in Comp. Cruising 50 and older.
The inductees are scheduled to be honoured at General Clinton Park on Saturday, May 28.
Each year, the induction group is divided into four paddlers and two contributors. Vincent is the only Canadian in the Class of 2020—now 2022.
Read Doppler’s previous story on Bob Vincent here: Marathon canoe coach and paddler, Bob Vincent, to be inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame
The other 2020 inductees are:
Mike Fremont (Cincinnati, OH). Remarkable endurance athlete who still paddles, runs, and exercises at age 100 (Feb. 23). 14 Regatta races completed between 1975 and 2017, the most recent (with partner Greg Bechtel) made Mike the Clinton’s oldest finsher at age 95. Has mentored many younger paddlers and continues to run long-distances, holding many age group records in full and half marathons..
Andy Triebold (Grayling, MI). Considered one of the best among current pro paddlers. Ranks second only to Serge Corbin (28) with 10 Regatta wins in 16 finishes. 2006 victory with Matt Rimer was Corbin’s first Clinton loss. He and Rimer repeated in 2007, before Andy won his next eight races with partner Steve Lajoie between 2008-2018. The Triebold-Lajoie victory total is a Regatta mark for career tandems in the C-2 Pro Race.
John Young (Richmondville, NY). Only local paddler elected this year, having grown up in Otego. Joined 2100 mile club in 2019 with his 30th finish. Started with shorter events in the 1970s, then entered his first Regatta with dad Chuck in 1982.Won six C-1 amateur races before teaming with Jeff Pedersen in C-2 (50 and older) for wins in 2017 and 2019. Also helps clear winter debris and logs along early portion of race course each spring.
John Harmon (Bainbridge, NY ) Completes his record-setting 11th and final year as General Chairman in 2022. Helped usher in high-tech era for many aspects of the weekend, including entries, results, website upgrades, and archival record-keeping. Recruited volunteers to assist with specific duties and encouraged innovative ways to get things done. Always on-task and always on-site throughout the four days.
Ed Hromada (Bainbridge, NY). (Deceased); First three-time General Chairman in Regatta history, heading the volunteers in 1995-96 and 1998. Oversaw new starting point in Cooperstown and the advent of computers to better monitor entries and results. Closed down his shoe store in town a week before Memorial Day to be available 100% for last-minute details. Volunteers under Ed still speak about his leadership with high praise.
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Congratulations Bob!! Well deserved and such an honour. May the wind always be at your back!