Frank Cantera grew up on the water. Last Saturday he was on Urbanna Creek racing in the annual Urbanna Cup Regatta.
Cantera and his race boat “Ball Breaker” had traveled to Urbanna aboard the classic wooden buyboat “Muriel Eileen” with his family from their home near Rock Hall, Md. The race boat was built by Cantera and his brother and sister.
This was the first race for this confident 12-year-old in the Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association (CCWBRA). Although there were not enough drivers in the youth division, he raced against two adults who made up the field. Cantera showed the way, winning all three races. His starts were close to perfect, especially in the second race, said his coach Jack Pettigrew of Morattico.
The CCWBRA got its start about 8 years ago near Pettigrew’s home on the Northern Neck. It has become a nationwide series.
One of two “also rans” against Cantera was Rich Faulkner of Philadelphia. “He’s a good driver,” said the veteran. Was Faulkner trying to catch him? “Heck yeah!”
So was Fred Allerton, from north of Philadelphia. “I was trying hard . . . we were racing.”
Awareness
Allerton said Cantera has good “situational awareness,” which is critical for a racer who must know what is going on around him at all times, both from a safety standpoint and as a means to winning. “He did a really good job,” said Allerton. “He took the turns nicely.”
Cantera said the starts are critical. Racers motor toward the starting line at full speed. The goal is to be just before the starting line, but not across it, when the horn sounds. If you arrive too early there is a penalty.
Cantera said the turns are where driver’s skill and awareness is tested. “The water is always changing,” he said. The water is churned up by boat wakes that can flip these small boats. He explained that if a wake can be crossed squarely you can “jump it.” However, if a wake is approaching from the side, the driver needs to adjust his approach.
Pettigrew, who founded the youth division, has coached Cantera and said he sees a lot of potential in him.
Pettigrew praised the work of race announcer Eric Faudree who kept the spectators informed while calling racers to the post. “He does a really good job. He’s an asset.”
Faulkner agreed and said he likes the “quiet” pace and the nice water of Urbanna. “It’s always a good time.”
Race Winners
Mixed early classic pre-76: 1. Fred Allerton, 28, Swamp Rocket; 2. Art Gompf, 1314, Snafu; 3. Tom Kerr, 46, Rajiv.
Heavy early classic pre-76: 1. Keith Carew, 81, Blue Hawaiian; 2. Fred Garrison, 409.
Mixed Late Classic: 1. Jack Pettigrew, 82, Havin’ Fun; 2. Fred Allerton, 28, Swamp Rocket; 3. Art Gompf, 1314, Snafu.
Heavy Late Classic: 1. Jim Schmicker, 214, River Madness.
Youth: 1. Frank Cantera, 115, Ball Breaker.
Women’s Post 79: 1. Sara Orthwein, 1314, Snafu; 2. Tammy Jackson, 91, Old Fashioned; 3. Betty Wilmont, 109, Pink Lady.
Mixed Post 79: 1. Art Gompf, 1314, Snafu; 2. Chris Riddick, 91, Old Fashioned; 3. Ian Millington, 1776, Virginia Gentleman.
Heavy Post 79: 1. Jim Schmicker, 214, River Madness; 2. Keith Carew, 41, Dram; 3. Tim Wilmont, 109, Pink Lady.
Mixed 8 hp: 1. Chris Riddick, 73, The Urbanna Oyster Shooter; 2. Art Gompf, 1314, Snafu, Fred Allerton, 28, Swamp Rocket.
