BURLINGTON, Vt.-Some management at New England FCU here recently displayed skills not often required at credit unions-the ability to captain a Giant Pumpkin.
NEFCU recently sponsored the 4th Annual NEFCU Giant Pumpkin Regatta & Festival, in which more than 50 racers participated. An estimated 10,000 people attended the event to watch the races and take part in other activities.
Below, Lori Duncan, administrative assistant with New England FCU, shares details on the event, including some insider tips on how to best row a pumpkin.
CUJ: Describe for credit unions what the Giant Pumpkin Regatta is all about?
Duncan: The regatta was started in 2008, and in 2009 NEFCU became the title sponsor. The event is an annual fundraiser for a youth leadership program called PILOT (Program to Inspire Leadership, Opportunity and Thought) run by non-profit Linking Learning to Life and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. PILOT brings 20 high school juniors from four area high schools together for monthly seminars to learn about the issues that our community faces and to gain the leadership skills needed to create positive change.
CUJ: How did you come to be involved as a racer, and what is involved in preparation?
Duncan: When NEFCU became the title sponsor in 2009, I was asked to participate as one of the paddlers in a three-person relay. Who in their right mind would want to sit in a hollowed out, giant pumpkin that was going into a large body of cold water in October, in Vermont? Are you crazy! But, the more I thought about it the more I realized...this could be lots of fun, after all, how many times can a person say they've piloted a giant pumpkin on a lake!
I've now piloted a giant pumpkin for the past three years and it's always been a lot of fun. Each year we come up with a theme to decorate the pumpkin and ourselves. This year we chose the Wizard of Oz. We dressed as Dorothy and the Scarecrow. We decorated our pumpkin with a witch's hat attached the front and the "bad" witch's legs floating behind the pumpkin. We also had Toto in a basket attached to the top of the pumpkin. Aside from the decorating, you might also want to do some upper arm exercises! Unless you are an avid paddler (I'm not!) you have no idea how much strength you need to maneuver these 500-plus pound pumpkins.
CUJ: Are these actual pumpkins, or models?
Duncan: Yes, these are actual giant pumpkins and are provided to the regatta by giant pumpkin growers in the region and neighboring states. They come in many shapes and sizes and can weigh over 1,000 pounds! The pumpkin grower cuts the pumpkin open using a saw and scoops the pumpkin clean. We place a tarp inside so we don't get too messy and don't slide around as much-balance is everything when racing pumpkins. Through experience we have found the flatter pumpkins work the best. They may not be the prettiest pumpkin in the patch but they certainly are easier to maneuver and are faster than traditional looking pumpkins. In the world of pumpkin racing bigger is not better. Last year we had a pumpkin that weighed over 900 pounds and we had a difficult time with it! This year, we went for the smaller flat pumpkin-weighing in at only 579 pounds. It was one of the fastest pumpkins on the lake!
CUJ: What's it like during the race itself? What's it like to maneuver a pumpkin on water, and did you have a strategy?
Duncan: Race day is very exciting for the participants and spectators. Once the pumpkins are decorated, a large tractor is used to transport them to the water. As your pumpkin is lowered into the lake, you have to walk out into the cold lake water and climb into your pumpkin. No, we don't wear wetsuits, just the costume-in my case a dress, tights, and ruby slippers! The entire time you are in the pumpkin is a balancing act. My one strategy is to drink plenty of water before the race. It's a lot of work paddling, laughing, and defending yourself on the open lake. Did I mention, there are no rules, anything goes! Cheating is highly encouraged! My relay partner, the Scarecrow, experienced this first-hand as she was approaching the finish line a competitor jumped from the dock and sunk her and the pumpkin! We'll be back next year and out for revenge!
CUJ: What advice would you have for someone who is considering a career in pumpkin racing?
Duncan: First, I'd recommend they take a paddling course, second, I'd recommend they do upper body training and third, just know you will have a great time. But most importantly, they need to find their inner devil and bring it with them on race day! In this race, cheating brings home the trophy! We didn't win the trophy this year, we were too nice. Next year will be a whole different story! We'll be back for revenge and the trophy!
