On a Paddling Streak

Having won Cranford's annual 18-and-over canoe race on the Rahway River a total of 27 times out of 30 years, it's clear that Dave Gelber takes his paddling seriously.

As his family lived on the river when he was growing up, he said he's been canoeing since he was very young, spending many lazy summer days out on the water. And living in a town with an annual canoe race, Gelber, a self-described competitive spirit, was bound to enter the contest sooner or later. 

"I like to win," he said, adding that he first registered for the race at 16 years old. "I spent lots of afternoons on the river with my friends, and one day one of my buddies said, 'let's enter the canoe races this year,' and I said 'sure,' and we won. After we won that year, I just kept coming back to win."

As a three-decade veteran, Gelber knows all the ins and outs of the competition. One of the most important things, he said, is getting the boat out in front of the other boats early on.

"Or else people will be hitting you, blocking your paddle, holding onto your boat sometimes," he said. "So the start of the race is critical and getting out from there is critical."

The longtime Cranford resident races with a crew of two; Rob Pender and John Bush. While Pender sits in the middle and does the most paddling, Gelber sits in the stern and steers. Meanwhile Bush is stationed in front and sets the pace, while also adjusting the steering when needed.

"We work as a team and we win as a team," Gelber said. He added that his current lineup, which started collaborating eight years ago, is undefeated in the 18-and-over marathon race. They have been practicing for tomorrow's canoe race for about a month.

"The goal is just keep going until we get dethroned," Bush said."But with Dave and Rob behind me, I'm confident we're going to do well." 

Other than the competitive aspect, the crew said that the race is also an excuse to get great exercise and enjoy the park–and for Rob Pender, who now lives in Hillsborough but grew up in Cranford, it's an excuse to see old friends and family.

"I get to come home and see people," he said. "It's like a big family reunion."