Read ‘em and row: Annual Kayak Poker Run takes off

Instead of hitting the casino for a high stakes poker game, about 20 people hopped in a kayak for a chance to put the best hand together.

The Onset Bay Association’s annual Kayak Poker Run was held Saturday, June 28 where about 20 participants paddled from station to station around Onset Bay trying to get the best hand in poker.

The participants made five stops where they were given a random card and whoever had the best hand in poker was crowned the winner. In order to better their chances, participants could exchange a card for $1.

The event first took off in 2005 and event master of ceremonies Patrick Marshall said this was the 20th kayak poker run.

Many of the attendees were avid kayakers like Matthew Grace who was joined by his dog Chico.

“This was his first maiden voyage and I kayak with all my dogs,” Grace said. “He did really well, he was a little timid at first but he got the hang of it.”

Having Chico in the kayak didn’t seem to help Grace’s luck when it came to putting together a winning hand, he said.

“I tried several times to get other cards and I don’t think I have anything,” he said. “I don’t know how to play poker but I’m guessing my hand’s not that good.”

Unlike Grace, Crystal Winslow was the first contestant in and felt no need to swap cards considering her strong hand.

“I got a full house so I think it went pretty well,” Winslow said.

Winslow said she is an avid kayaker and no stranger to poker runs because she used to do them with her dad on motorcycles.

“I remember doing them when I was little so I was like let’s go try this,” she said.