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This blog post was written by OCC Archives Student Assistant Zoe Gleich in 2023.
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The introduction of a new fall tradition can always be exciting for the students and faculty of OCC. Especially for those in the 1970s when canoe racing made its way into Campus activities. 1972 was the year that they started the annual paddling competition. “... teams representing Highland Lakes, Auburn Hills, and Orchard Ridge met at Heavner’s Canoe Rental to compete for the tri-campus canoe race.” The competing divisions were: Men's, Women's, and Coed.
Heavner’s Canoe and Kayak Rental is located on Garden Road near the outskirts of the Village of Milford. The original owners of this establishment were Chester and Stella Heavner, who opened their business up in 1953. The idea of renting boats to the public first came to them when their friends and family members would repeatedly take their handful of boats out to the river. They realized how much people enjoyed being out in the water, so they proceeded to turn it into a business. “In the past 50 years the business has grown to have over 200 specialized canoes and kayaks for rent, as well as for sale.” The company has now been passed down to their grandsons Bruce and Matt (Heavner Canoe & Kayak Rental History, n.d.).
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"Canoe Race Fizzles Over" OCC Tri-Campus Canoe Race Participants |
Once the students arrived at the boat launch, they were provided with the proper equipment, lifejackets and paddles, and a set of metal canoes that each team would use. The boat launch was found right outside the Proud Lake Recreation Area. When they were sent off, the students would travel down the Huron River until they reached the banks of Central Park; an area located right in the middle of Milford.
At the end of the long trip of 2.6 miles, the faculty and residents of Milford were able to view the exhausted group of students lying on the ground after they plunged through the twists and turns of the Huron.
There was an honorable mention from the race in 1973 after two partners fell into the water. “...the only canoe that flipped was the canoe with Gary Speight and Lynn Keller in it. Thanks to Lynn standing up in the canoe.”
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"On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!" |
In the 1975 race, “The only casualty, (person to get wet) was Bob Yates, who decided it would be easier to swim back to the start, than paddle to the finish.” Highland Voice Staff Reporter Patti Galusky writes: "Although the course was only five miles, I personally felt it would never end. At the finish line there were moans of pain and sighs of relief that everyone had made it."Nevertheless, OCC students still had a wonderful time filled with laughter and the occasional splashing at competitors. These races ran on for several more years and helped create stronger team building exercises and relationships for everyone.
References
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2021 Map of the Huron River and Heavner Canoe Rental
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Do you have materials that you would like to donate to the Archives? Are you interested in collaborating on a project? Please send an email to archivesocc@oaklandcc.edu or call 248-232-4470 to speak with our College Archivist.
More information on OCC's Tri-Campus Canoe Races can be found in our OCC Publications Collection. |
Canoe Race participants rushing to start the race, ca. 1972 |
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