The Boothbay Region YMCA held its 22nd annual Rowgatta around Southport Island on Saturday, Aug.15.

Race winners David and Peggy Mitchell in a tandem kayak crossed the line about seven minutes ahead of second place finisher, Ted Labruere.

In all, 41 competitors started the race in 33 boats. In addition to kayaks, one oarsmen in a rowboat was enrolled. Bruce Kinsey in an Alden shell equipped with a front viewing mirror rowed the 12-mile course.

Founder of the race Susan Quinby said that it all began back in 1993 when she rowed around the island in a 12.5-foot skiff as part of a bet. She then approached YMCA Director Mike Harrison with the idea of making the competition an annual benefit event.

“If I can do it, anybody can,” she told Harrison.

The race has been held every year since on the second weekend of August.

Until last year, 86-year-old Mark Knowlton took part in the race, initially in his dinghy.

“It took me eight hours," he said. The finishing time this year was just under two hours.

On one occasion, Knowlton said that he became lost in the fog.

This year’s winners, David and Peggy Mitchell, came with strong credentials. David, 72, competed in the wild water kayak event in the 1972 Olympics. He said the artificial course in those days was not engineered to modern standards and that kayakers often wrapped their knuckles against the concrete walls.

Peggy Mitchell has also competed at the world championship level as a team kayak racer. The Mitchells market their own brand of lightweight kayak paddles.

Organizer Abby Jones said that she had paddled the course several times before taking over the directorship of the event last year. On her team were spotters on bridges and in boats able to rescue anyone in distress.

Top three places went to the Mitchells 1:47:15, Ted Labruere 1:54:16, and tied for third John Casey and Don Miles at 1:58:56.

Proceeds went to the Boothbay Region YMCA.