1953's Senior Canoer Paddles the Connecticut in National Competition

Put Blodgett '53 of Lebanon has been canoeing for half a century. That puts him in the senior category in competitions such as this year's National Canoe Championships held on the Connecticut in late August hard by the College. Joint sponsors were the Ledyard Canoe Club and the Connecticut Canoe Racing Association—who competed against other locales to host the three-day event.

The planning and execution Was chaired by Frank Muller '75, who, with a small team including Peter Heed '72, spent two years organizing everything from parking to first-aid. The weather could hardly have been better and 597 men and women competed in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. They came from 40 states and four foreign countries and more than one was heard to say it was the best-run national competition ever. They also praised the Connecticut because of its deep water and generous width, which eliminated the need for multiple heats.

Since Dartmouth, Put Blodgett has done a little of this and a little of that: dairy farmer, woodland manager, ski racer, political campaigner, real estate developer. He found time to found the Challenge Wilderness Camp up the river in his native Bradford. For the past few years, and es especially this summer, he's spent many hours practicing and building his stamina for racing. After all, we're talking about a 17-mile marathon, upriver and down. How good was Put's time of 2:42:30? Good enough to take the medal for sixth place, only 11 minutes behind the winner. Give a rouse for Put, and for Frank and Peter, too.