River Canoe Races

July 3rd - 4th
Location: Quinault River
Time: 12:00 noon

For more information contact:
Norman Capoeman:
Sid Curtwright:
Mandy Howard: mhhoward@quinault.org
Phone: 360-276-8211 ext: 227

HISTORY OF CANOE RACING
By Leilani Jones - 1995

As we look back in time we find a great deal of interesting information about out people. There were many activities that kept us occupied. The Culture of the Quinault Tribe can be summarized into "Cedar is our way of life." In the past and present we have always relied on cedar for almost everything we do, including entertainment.

For many years our people have used the cedar tree to make canoes. Not only did we make canoes for transportation but to be used for entertainment. Canoe racing, whether man powered or horse powered, has been an integral part of our history. There were many types of canoes serving various purposes. Canoes were used for travel, fishing, hunting, and sport. Many known canoe builders built eleven man war canoes, river canoes, ocean canoes, and race canoes. We're not sure when canoe racing actually began but surely it was way before our time.

A man from Queets told about a particular canoe race held at Queets celebrations a long time ago. "The canoe man would run there canoe over a log, starting from the stern of the canoe with their paddle, walking fast towards the middle of the canoe, half way over the log they ran to the front to weight it down. Finally they rolled over the log and paddled to the finish line."

We also had the "Eleven Man War Canoe Races", which were held at Lake Quinault. Jonah Cole and Eddie Hobucket built the 11-man war canoe from Taholah/Lake Quinault. Eddie was one of the pullers of the canoe. Eddie remembers one time Bryan Cole picked up a crew to participate with other tribes at Coupeville. Another 11 man War Canoe built by Chief Arthur Howeattle represented the Queets Village.

During the Lake Quinault Celebrations they held a two-man capsize canoe race. Walt Bennett and Wimpy Sampson were the World Champs and still hold the record. Not only did we race canoes but we raced skiffs as well. Outboard skiff races were held for both men and women. Harvey Hyasman once won in a skiff called "Put yah." They held skiff races with paddles (this involved men standing and paddling in the skiff with their oars). The paddle canoe races still held today were another event including both boys and girls of all ages. The tug-of-war in a canoe was one of the main water sports.

At first there were no restrictions on the type of canoe used. I mention this because one time a shovelnose canoe was in a race, can you imagine that? Then there was the time Taft Williams made this small canoe to put flowers in, he called it " Flower Port", Taft sold the canoe to Squinny. Honeyboy Hobucket needed a canoe so he raced Squinny's.

As time went by canoes and their motors changed. First there were 7 hp motors followed by 10 hp mercury and 10 hp lighting cruisers. (This is when the valve release was at the top of the canoe) Herb Capoeman Sr. won his first race at Lake Quinault with a 7 hp water witch 11 motor. Jonah Cole was one of the first to race a Mercury 10 hp. Harvey "Huppy" Hyasman used a river canoe "Burn Hill" for racing. Herb Capoeman raced "Blitz Kreig" and won at Sannich. George Underwood raced his "King Fisher". Next the 20 hp and 25 hp motors came in. Then one time Bill Bryan raced a canoe name "Tonto" well anyway Bill forgot to lift the anchor out flopped before he even started. He should of said "Wooh Tonto".

Motors varied from Stock, Modified Stock to Quincy’s. Stocks are a motor and whatever comes with it. Modified and Quincy's are souped up motors. "Souping up” is altering the motor by putting stacks and blocks on them, changing the carburetors, putting bigger pistons in, boring out and pouring and altering the manifolds on the pipes, (which suck the gas better).

In terms of fuel, gas has also changed with time. From regular to Ethel to unleaded, to alcohol and airplane fuel. The more expensive the gas the better and faster for racing.

With the increase in horsepower the time it took to finish a race decreased. Norman Capoeman Sr. held the Derby Day record, which was 38 miles up the Quinault for 5 consecutive wins. He beat his own record twice. Originally it took him two hours and 13 minutes. Later he beat the record with a 20 hp motor at 1.35 minutes then 1.30.46. Ribs Penn from La Push with "Rebel" beat Norman Capoeman Sr. record by 1.28 minutes 30 seconds. Later Rick Obi Sr. beat the record in one hour six minutes and 20 seconds. Now “Fast Frankie Pickernell” who won three times holds the record.

As time changed so did the bottom of canoes. Jim Dennis in the early 1960's was the first to reconstruct the canoes bottom; he put a flat bottom on "Rebel". Then Herb Capoeman put a plywood on the bottom of "Sequoia." The canoe men recognized the increase in speed of the canoe and everyone started changing their bottoms. The flat piece added on is made of plaining boards. The canoe can't be over 24" wide and 22' long. The finish work of the canoe is also of importance; Cliff Bryson stated that Esau Penn was the best finisher around. Cliff Bryson's dad, Jim Bryson, had Esau Penn finish his canoes.

One of the people that helped make racing history and the events through out the years was, Jim Bryson, our first Mayor of Taholah. He organized and facilitated the Derby Day events with the help of many others. Derby Day included the canoe races, trout derby, fish bake, dance and carnival. The carnival was held at Lake Quinault where the current location of the forestry office is. People from all over came for the trout derby and canoe races. The Lodge was jumping with visitors. The children and adults would be at the grounds picnicking and having fun on the rides.

Interest in racing grew Taholah started a canoe club. All those who raced and their families were members of the canoe club and those who volunteered to help. At one time there were 24 canoes. The canoe men raced not only at Taholah and Queets but also at La Push, Olympia, Lake Sammish, Suquamish, South Bend, Hoquiam and one time at Ocean Shores for the Pat Boone Celebrity Classic. One year the canoe club invited the hydro's to come down to race in Taholah.