The illustrious, the legends, the speedsters, of the Blackburn Challenge
Blackburn Challenge Hall of Fame
Jon Aborn
Jon has participated in almost all the events, winning his division many times.
Phil Bolger
Phil is a local well-known boat designer and the person who came up with the original idea for the Blackburn Challenge back in 1966
Doug Bushnell
Doug is a well-known kayak designer and long time participant
Mike Dreher
Mike was the fastest single person over the first 25 years (rowing single, 1996 - 2:30:37)
Sarah Evertson
Sarah is a long time participant in kayaks, having won many times
Joe Glickman
Joe was one of the top performing Surfski paddlers in the history of the Blackburn, competing in 17 events, winning in 2000 and 2004, always a top finisher. In 2014 Joe took a break from his chemotherapy to do the race one last time with his good friend Oscar Chalupsky. They set a Surfski doubles course record. Picture above is from Joe’s inspiring talk after the race.
Al Peirce
Al was a long time member of our committee. He has completed all but 4 Blackburns, having done his first in 1991. He knows more about Howard Blackburn then anyone we know. He has paddled in Newfoundland were Blackburn landed in a small fishing village after 5 days in a terrible snow storm.
Henry Szostek
Henry, past president, member for the whole life of the club and the only person who participated n every single event up to his passing in early 2023.
Jimmy Tarantino
Jimmy is a Gloucester local who has been rowing banks dories for a very long time. He was also on the Survivor Show a few years ago.
Howard Blackburn