30th, And Possibly Final, Scantic Spring Splash Scheduled For March 25

ENFIELD-SOMERS, CT — A sporting tradition which has endured three decades and benefited the hungry of north-central Connecticut the entire time may be facing its last hurrah, as paddlers from across the Northeast will gather for the 30th Scantic Spring Splash canoe and kayak races on Saturday, March 25.

Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Powder Mill Barn in Hazardville. A shuttle bus will transport paddlers to the starting point off Quality Avenue in Somers, and competitors will depart at noon to traverse a 5-mile course to the South Maple Street bridge in Powder Hollow.

Brothers Jeff and Mike Dynia were avid paddlers and competed in many whitewater races in the area, including Westfield, Hockanum and Willimantic, before starting the Splash in the early 1990s.

In addition to the competitive sporting nature of the event, the Splash ha also been a key supporter of the Enfield Food Shelf, which has received contributions of more than $30,000 in cash and tons of food items since the race's debut.

The Dynias received the George Daly Special Recognition Award from the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 for their selfless dedication to the community. However, the brothers, now both retired, are hoping someone will take over their roles and continue the race.

"We'll help out, but just can't do it all anymore," Mike Dynia told Patch. "We're thinking about sitting on the Florida shore with a cold one someday."

Registration forms, which may be printed out and brought to the check-in site on race morning, are available at scanticspringsplash.org.