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The following story is copied from another website about one racer's experience at the Scantic Spring Splash in 2001:

Staying outside of Boston cut down on the driving for this race. It was only two hours away, and sort of on the way home. I met TJ and Jim (from the Ware race) an hour before registration began to scout the river. We went to the first portage and saw the put in. There was also an optional second portage there. I was pretty sure that I would run that section, so I focused my attention more on the river than the portage route. At the end of the race there were a series of drops (or steps) to negotiate. We spent lots of time scouting this part. Since they had run the race route the week before, they had the lines all set; "stay right for the first two, come across and stay left for the last two". The last drop had a sizable chute, you hit it and you're golden; you miss it and you're toast. While it didn't look that bad from the shore, it would be different coming down the river. 

I had a lot to think about before the race. What were the best lines? Do I want to use the optional portage? What about the part of the river that we couldn't see; that nasty "S" turn or whatever it was called? What paddle do I use whitewater or touring? Do I want to register in the racing class or just novice and skip the second half of the race including those drops? I didn't go all that way to paddle only 2.5 or 3 miles. I was in it for the whole thing. 
Note to self:   If lots of other people are using carbon fiber paddles, it's going to be OK to use the light touring paddle rather than the heavy whitewater paddle. 

This being more of an actual down river race, boats were started one at a time at 30-60 second intervals. First the novice classes then the racing. As you stand and watch people put in and begin the race, you find yourself and others looking on in almost morbid curiosity sometimes. There are people out there that everyone knows are not going to be able to stay upright. I know all about "seemed like a good idea at the time" and "it all for fun", but 35-degree water is only fun for a short time. Especially when you aren't prepared for it. 
For the bulk of the race, I would have to say it was uneventful, at least for me. There was plenty of carnage from canoes in both the novice and racing classes. Not being able to scout that "S" turn was probably a good thing, I had no idea how scared to be. It was a wild ride that while only lasting a few seconds, felt an awful lot longer. As I approached the mandatory portage, I was sure that I would skip the optional one to save time. As I put back in, another kayaker was putting in behind me. Definitely need to run the river. As I began to put on the spray skirt, I could see someone being fished out of the water below the chute. I decided to take the portage. The other kayaker opted for the chute. He chose poorly. As I walked/jogged along the portage, I could see him going over and the rescue crew getting ready to do their thing again. 

With the exception of a few fun spots, the remainder of the race was straightforward. I could see another kayaker ahead of me and I followed his line. As we approached the drops, I was over on the right (as planned). Over the first one, no problem. Over the second one, no problem. Hey, wait a minute, why isn't the guy in front of me going left ? He's right in the middle. He took the fourth step down the middle too. Well, the heck with the scouting report. I'm just going to follow him. 

Note to self:   When you've scouted the river and KNOW where you're supposed to be - Don't follow the boat in front of you if it's not in the right place. 

There is a reason we scouted this part. It was to make sure that I stay right on the first two and left on the last two. But come race time, I didn't. Oh, it turned out OK. I didn't dump or get overly wet, but I did look like an idiot on the tape after the race. No doubt failing to keep left cost me a few seconds. Not that I would have moved up within my class, but I would have posted a better time than someone in another class. 

After the race was great. They had rented equipment and taped several sections of the race. It was a hoot. 
  
Tom's Excuses for this Race: 
4. Wrong paddle for those conditions. 
3. Still need to spend more time paddling less time drinking water during the race. 
2. Any one can scout the river, the trick is to actually USE the information.. 
1. What did you expect, I just raced yesterday.

I finished a respectable fourth out of six.

Please send us your story and experience from the Splash. It will be posted here.