Although Rowgatta XIX was rained out in 2012 and termed the “No-Gatta Rowgatta,” the 20th annual Southport Rowgatta on August 10 was a great success, with 34 participants in 27 boats completing the 12 nautical-mile row around Southport.

Since its founding in 1994 by co-chair Susan Quinby, the Rowgatta has seen many firsts: the first pedal-powered boat in 2002, first wheelchair user in 2008, first paddleboarders in 2009, first stand-up paddleboard (SUP) in 2011 and the first all-kayak event in 2013 , which included 20 singles and seven doubles. The event is sponsored by the Boothbay Region YMCA.

Although kayaks often are the first choice craft for many Rowgatta veterans, rowers and paddlers of all types are most welcome, with outreach in the works to increase the rowing ranks in 2014.

In a sweep of first, second and third places were six members of the Nutt extended family with remarkable completion times of 1:50 minutes (Jeff Hankins and Peggy Mitchell, 1:57 minutes (David Nutt and Jasper Nutt) and 2:03 minutes (Tim Hankins and Mary Nutt).

The Knowlton family of Newagen swept three prizes for Oldest Participant (Marcus), Youngest Participant (Caleb) and Final Finisher (Lisa).

As always, the Rowgatta included a diverse array of participants across gender, age and geography: 22 males and 12 females; an age range from 14-84.

26 participants were Mainers, including denizens of Southport (eight entrants), Boothbay Harbor (four), Boothbay (three), Edgecomb (three), West Boothbay Harbor (three), East Boothbay (two), Trevett (one), Buxton (one) and Cape Elizabeth (one), with the remaining paddlers from South Chatham, Mass., Goshen, N.Y., Haverford, Pa., Canaan, N.H. and Cincinnati, Ohio.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary, a special turquoise T-shirt and matching lanyard were provided to all participants, along with a celebratory Rowgatta XX button that is sure to become a collector's item.

As always, thanks to all of the many sponsors and volunteers who helped make the event such a huge success, with a special letter of thanks to be published elsewhere in the paper.

The Rowgatta committee hopes that everyone will keep practicing their strokes and miles in the coming year. And here's to a successful and fun-filled event once again in 2014.

This year's results and prizes include:

First Finisher: Jeff Hankins and Peggy Mitchell (1:50:30) won a $75 House of Logan gift certificate.

Final Finisher: Lisa Boyles Knowlton (3:59:32) won a $20 Southport General Store gift certificate.

Oldest Participant: Marcus Knowlton (84) won a four-course dinner for two at Newagen Seaside Inn.

Youngest Participant: Caleb Knowlton (14) won three DVD rentals at Video Loft.

Person from farthest Away: Matt Fenwick (Cincinnati, Ohio) won $20 of gas from Good 'N You Mobil Sales and Service.

Person whose birthday falls closest to the date of the Rowgatta: Jasper Nutt (August 8) won one pound of fudge from Orne's Candy Store.

Most Unique Boat: Ralph Reeve won a $20 Grover's Hardware gift certificate.

Most Unique Participant: Claire Brennan-Jarrow won a 30 minute massage by Kim Horstman, licensed massage therapist.