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Hydroplanes put on a show for Milton Summer Kickoff

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Two boats race abreast headed past the starting line on Saturday at the South Shore Outboard Association hydrooplane races on Townhouse Pond. (Lebanon Voice photos)

COPYRIGHT2017© MILTON - Aaron Churchill of Clifton, Maine, ran his first South Shore Outboard Association race last year, and was back racing in his second Milton Summer Kickoff event on Saturday with a full year of racing under his belt.

He admitted "I'm still learning" but said the two biggest factors in being a successful hydroplane racer is hitting the starting line at full speed and "becoming one with the boat."

"They're all just a little different," he said, "so you have to get a feel for each one."

Churchill raced in one of the smaller-boat divisions on Saturday with a 15-hp Johnson powering his craft.

Steve Noury, chief organizer for this weekend's Milton races, said thanks to the town of Milton and Milton Rec, the races have grown in popularity over the many years they've raced here.

Aaron Churchill speeds away after assistance from his boat handler on Saturday.

On Saturday some 60 racers turned out in a dozen classes from kids age 9 to several in their 70s to race these tiny boats up to 60 mph on a tight circuit in Townhouse Pond.

"This race in Milton has grown by more than 50 percent since we began here," he said. "Now they come from all over; we have racers from Canada, New York and New Jersey as well New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

"And the weather and water conditions today are perfect."

Churchill, meanwhile, raced in a heat of seven other boats, a crowded field at the start, but two were disqualified when they couldn't make plane.

Churchill's boat made plane, but a bad start kept him lagging. He finished last.

Steve Noury of South Shore Outboard Association, right, directs race referees from Milton Town Beach on Saturday.

Karen Brown, organizer of Milton's Summer Kickoff, said town resident participation was lagging, too. She expressed disappointment at the sparse crowd that attended the kickoff as for the second year in a row perfect weather had not returned a good showing of support from the public.

"It's said, the weather is so fantastic," she said. "And the race boats put on such a spectacular show."

She said other competing events like Laconia Bike Week and Market Square Day in Portsmouth could be taking their toll.

Other groups attending the Summer Kickoff included the Boy Scouts, MFPL, Police and Fire with their vehicles and several classic cars.

Milton's Summer Kickoff continues today at 9 a.m. with more boat racing, the Granite State Hot Rodders and other venues including a food concession.

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June 17, 2017 at 5:03pm
Agreed-the residents were a thin crowd for a "boating community".
Typical Milton-residents complaining we don't have this or that-But when the Town does put something on-Very few show up!!
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