The illustrious, the legends, the speedsters, of the Blackburn Challenge
Blackburn Challenge Hall of Fame
Jon Aborn
Jon Aborn is a longtime Blackburn Challenge participant, volunteer, and supporter whose steady dedication and enthusiasm have made him a cherished figure within the Cape Ann paddling community.
Phil Bolger
Phil Bolger was an acclaimed Gloucester-based naval architect whose distinctive small-craft designs made him an influential and imaginative figure in 20th-century boatbuilding. Phil was the originator of the Blackburn Challenge concept.
Doug Bushnell
Kayak designer Doug Bushnell completed multiple Blackburns and was a pioneering innovator in sea kayak design, best known for creating the legendary West Side Boat Shop craft that unlocked the speed and efficiency of today’s kayaks and surfskis.
Mike Dreher
Mike was the fastest single person over the first 25 years (rowing single, 1996 - 2:30:37)
Sarah Evertson
Sarah Evertson is a dedicated member of the Cape Ann paddling community, known for her enthusiastic participation in and support of the Blackburn Challenge and her ongoing contributions to local on-water events.
Joe Glickman
Joe was one of the top performing surfski paddlers in the history of the Blackburn, competing in 17 events. Battling cancer, in 2014 Joe paddled with his friend Oscar Chalupsky, setting the surfski doubles course record.
Al Peirce
A long time CARC member, Al knows more about Howard Blackburn then anyone. He has paddled in Newfoundland where Blackburn made his historic landfall in that terrible snow storm.
Henry Szostek
An originating CARC member and past president, Henry was the only person who participated n every single Blackburn up to his passing in 2023.
Jimmy Tarantino
Gloucester resident “Jimmy T” has been rowing traditional Banks Dories for decades. In 2025 Jimmy successfully rowed a custom-built dory 1100km from Gloucester to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia with his partner Sarah LeWine.
Blackburn Challenge Overall Line Honors
2025: Jake Watkins, Nate Kelly (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:35:10)
2024: Joel Pekosz, Chris Weaver (Surfski Double, 2:45:23)
2023: Marc Lessard, Paul Dyka, Del Cummings, Erik Werner, Michael Fairchild, Mario Blackburn (OC6, 2:42:15)
2022: Craig Impens (Surfski Single, 2:40:46)
2021: No Blackburn :(
2020: No Blackburn :(
2019: Jeb Besser, Lou Harwood, Brian Wettach, Aleks Zosuls (Sliding-Seat Racing Quad, 2:15:05)
2018: Alex Zosuls, Jeb Besser, Caryn Davies, Lou Harwood (Sliding-Seat Racing Quad, 2:11:42)
2017: Dan Gorrarian, Russ Cone (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:18:09)
2016: Russ Cone, Tom Bohrer (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:26:00)
2015: Sean Brennan (Surfski Single, 2:37:50)
2014: James Besser, Steve Tucker, Brad Werntz, Aleks Zosuls (Sliding-Seat Racing Quad, 2:06:53)
2013: James Besser, James Bayley, Elliot Hovey, Aleks Zosuls (Sliding-Seat Racing Quad, 2:23:08)
2012: Daniel Gorrarian, Scott Whitney (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:19:54)
2011: James Besser, James Bayley (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:26:21)
2010: Mike Klinker, Mark Klinker (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:28:35)
2009: Steve Tucker, Aleks Zosuls (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:15:16)
2008: Steve Tucker, Dan Debonis, Jeb Besser, Aleks Zosuls (Sliding-Seat Racing Quad, 2:07:52)
2007: Aleks Zosuls, Steve Tucker (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:11:11)
2006: Ross Flemmer, Marc Lessard, Blake Conant, Michael Fairchild, Paul Dyka, John Mathieu (OC6, 44:39 - Shortened Course)
2005: Jeb Besser, Dan Debonis (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:19:27)
2004: Blake Conant, Bob Silvernail, Mark Gillespie, John Mathieu, Paul Dyka, Peter Heed (OC6, 2:29:29)
2003: Patrice Rioux, Al Flanders (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:33:25)
2002: Joe Holland, Dana Gaines (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:36:07)
2001: Joe Holland, Dana Gaines (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:21:45)
2000: ???
1999: Joe Holland, Linda Kennett (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:26:17)
1998: Robert Silvernail, Bob Zaveral, Bill Rogers, Joe Roosa, John Edwards, Blake Conant (OC6, 2:29:36)
1997: Joe Holland (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:44:50)
1996: Michael Dreher (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:30:37)
1995: Michael Dreher (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:43:10)
1994: Dana Gaines (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:48:00)
1993: Bradford Smith (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:57:46)
1992: Dana Gaines (Sliding-Seat Racing Single, 2:58:08)
1991: Douglas Bushnell (Touring Kayak Single, 3:03:37)
1990: ???
1989: Tobin Tracey, Phil Tiebohl (Sliding-Seat Racing Double, 2:55:17)
1988: ???
1987: ???
1986: ???
Howard Blackburn