October 2026

YPRC Is Yonkers on the River!

Members and friends-

If you were there you know: The Mayors Cup was amazing. The day was full of smiles and laughing, good-natured competition and a top-notch potluck. For me, one of the highlights was seeing how many women competed in the 100 and 800 meter races. 

Special shout outs to our youngest medalist, Jamil Sarr, and our oldest medalist Todd Patton, to Jack Gilman who was our oldest competitor and made a very strong showing. To repeat champions Mike McHugh and Jean Kostelich. To Edmundas Rimkas, multiple Mayor's Cup winner who continues to honor us by representing Sebago Canoe Club every year. To our grilling and clean up team and to all of our new members that showed up and made today so special. To Davin Griffiths and his mom Sonia for the wonderful jerk chicken and to Anthou Sarr for the empanadas, even though I didn't get one. To Nicole Edenedo who did a great job documenting the day. To Peter Riley for being our starter, to Philomena and Sam Freed and James Knight and all the others that helped at the finish.

I overheard so many kayakers saying they wanted to train for races ... we're on it! Next year will be even better!!

Lee Wordsman

Commodore

Congratulations to all winners!

Mayor’s Trophy: Women’s 800 Meter

1. Jean Kostelich
2. Nikoletta Bali-Keyes
3. Carly Schwarz

Mayor’s Trophy: Men’s 800 Meter

1. Mike McHugh
2. Edmundas Rimkas
3. Lee Wordsman

Women’s 100 Meter

1. Nikoletta Bali-Keyes
2. Jean Kostelich
3. Carly Schwartz

Men’s 100 Meter

1. Mike McHugh
2. Davin Griffiths
3. Lee Wordsman

2.5 Mile Race Overall: Women’s

1. Jean Kostelich
2. Nikoletta Bali-Keyes
3. Carly Schwartz

2.5 Mile Race Overall: Men’s

1. Mike McHugh
2. Lee Wordsman
3. Vinnie Rangasamy

20 and Under

Jamil Sarr

21–35

Alex Morales

36–50

Mike McHugh

Nikoletta Bali-Keyes

51–65

Lee Wordsman

Jenn Ruda

66+

Todd Patton

Jean Kostelich

Congratulations to repeat champions Jean Kostelich and Mike McHugh, winners of the 800 meter.

🏆The plaque was designed by an artisan who lived in the attic of the club for a few months after immigrating here from Eastern Europe in the late 1920s. Three plaques were cast. One was used for the ACA Atlantic Divisional Championships held at Lake Sebago from the early thirties until 1997. The second trophy is still used for the National Flatwater Canoe and Kayak Championships. (YPRC won the championship 13 times, the most of any team over the past 100 years.) The third trophy was never used, and remained, dusty and tarnished, at the club. A wonderful jeweler at Wayne Silversmith in South Yonkers did the restoration for us and his results are nothing short of miraculous. 

Thank you to our chefs and to our in-house reporter! And, thank you to the fans!

We're honored to announce that YPRC has received a grant for $10,000 from the City of Yonkers for this season's public programs.

Thank you to everyone who voluntereered at RiverFest.

Our tradition of leading a Teen Tashlich with Temple Beth Shalom continues. The ceremony led by Cantor Robin included a beautiful remembrance of Roger Scheiber who had as much of an impact on Temple Beth Shalom as he did on YPRC. 

If you are interested in being on the Holiday Party Planning Committee, please contact Mike McHugh.

Interested in running for the Board? Contact Todd Paton.

There are two more longer paddles this month. To qualify you must know how to do an assisted rescue and have done two six-mile paddles this summer. We will cartop boats to these events. Contact the trip leader if you need help getting a boat to the paddle. Register for trips here.

Sunday, October 18: View what we can of the reenactment of the Revolutionary War "Battle of Pells Point" at Orchard Beach, Bronx. PADDLE IS CANCELLED. Consider attending reenactment via land.

Sunday, October 25: Cold Spring to Beacon, 10 am–4 pm about 10 miles. Leader: Lee Wordsman. This is one way, we will leave cars in Cold Spring, kayak to Beacon then take the train (15 minutes) back to Cold Spring to pick up cars. Contact Lee with questions,

Fall Folliage Paddle to Piermont on October 10 🍂🍁 Thank you for leading, Lee, Scott and Terry.

This week! Celebrating Beczak Environmental Education Center and our long-time friends, including lifetime YPRC member Bob Walters and former Commodore and YPRC founder Bob Morrow. Tickets available here.

YPRC Is Powered by Volunteers 💪🏻💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿

✨✨ THANK YOU to our Commodore Lee Wordsman who, at the Mayors Cup, raced in every men's event, made the kapusta, got the trophy shined up, and was master of ceremonies! ✨✨