More than 40 paddlers took part in Saturday’s 20th annual Beaverdam Canoe Jam at Gloucester’s Beaverdam Park, competing in Long Course (4 miles), Short Course (2 miles) and the 4-Person Fun races.

Jim Farrington of Hampton posted the fastest time in the Long Course with 36:00 flat. Kirk and Kade Havens of Plainview had the fastest time for the Short Course with a time of 13:07. The 4-Person Fun Race has four paddlers in one canoe race around a single buoy and back to the starting line. One of the nine 4-Person teams, Team Hydration, slowly took on water at the turn around and therefore got to practice their in-water rescue skills. The Blazing Blue Herons, comprised of Girl Scouts from the Virginia Beach area, returned this year and swept the Two-Person Recreational Canoe class.

Additionally, the youngest paddler and oldest paddler were recognized during the awards ceremony. Nichole Byrd, 11, of Virginia Beach was presented with the day’s largest trophy for her ...