Competition & Fun at Manasquan Canoe, Kayak Races

More than four dozen paddlers on Saturday morning went out to Stockton Lake in Manasquan for the the annual Manasquan Canoe and Kayak Races, according to Owen McCarthy, an event organizer.

The races have been running for the past 15 years, and focus mainly on good clean family fun for local residents, McCarthy said. 

McCarthy, who also serves on the Tourism Commission of Manasquan and is a town council member, has been helping to organize the event for the past four years.

“We have people of all ages, levels, and experience, from in and out of town. Some people come out year after year. It’s a great event for families to enjoy the beautiful day and have a little competition if the weather is nice,” McCarthy said.

And today was exactly that; not too hot, not too cold, and sunny with a mild breeze.

Brian Nelson, of Manasquan, said he and his eight-year-old son Jack, have made the races a new family tradition beginning three years ago.

“It’s really a nice thing. It’s not highly competitive. Everyone gets together and has a lot of fun. We live on the lake and it gets really quiet around here so it’s really nice to see all the people today,” Nelson said.

No stranger to boating races, Joe Ervin, of Manasquan, took home first place in the long kayack category.

“I’ve been paddling most of my life. I started with my uncle when I was six,” said the 68-year-old Ervin, who was reported by event announcer Joe Bossone, of Manasquan, as one of the best on the East Coast.

Ervin has competed in the race for the past 10 years, he said.

“It’s picked up over the years. It had a pretty big turnout the first year and has been increasing since,” Ervin said.

The circular course was about a mile and had different divisions throughout the morning. The other winners were as follows: Open single kayak -- Jeff Bauer; Mixed canoe -- Tom and Mike Lozinski; Double kayaks -- Lee Holt and Leah Kazenmayer.

“It feels really good to win. I can’t believe I won. My dad and my sister usually win because they have been doing it longer than my cousin and I,” said Kazenmayer.

The double kayak category has been the most popular the past few years, Bassone said.

“Because this sport has become more and more of a family sport, more and more people are owning their own double kayaks,” Bassone said.

The races were a family affair for the Kazenmayers as Leah raced with her cousin in one heat and then dad and sister Jim and Emily Kazenmayer raced in another. Jim and Emily came in at second place for the double kayak category.

The event was sponsored by the Manasquan Savings Bank.

“We are very appreciative of their kindness. We would also like to thank the beach staff -- the life guards who came out. Thanks to them for helping helping out. We have not had any problems but they are there just in case,” McCarthy said.