ESSEX, Mass. — Come Boating!, Belfast's community boating organization, sent two teams to the Essex River Race in Essex, Massachusetts and came in first and second place, respectively.

The Essex is the second major race of the season and one of the most beautiful — it's also one of the hardest to navigate. The race course follows the meandering Essex River through salt marshes and tidal flats to its mouth, around an island and back to the start point.

The men's team, rowing in the "Belle Fast", came in first in the Pilot gig class, with a time of 52:45. Coming in second place was the women's team, rowing the "Selkie", with a time of 53:29.

Come Boating!’s free community rowing program will kick off its 15th season on Saturday, May 30, with activities that highlight its community boating activities.

Volunteers will be at the organization’s boat shed near the Belfast Public Landing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving free hot dogs and lemonade and providing information about its free community rows, youth rowing program, and opportunities to become a coxswain or skipper.

An “All Things Nautical” Yard Sale, with boating gear and accessories, will take place near the boat shed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trained coxswains will be on hand to take visitors out for a row on the harbor in a six-oar, 32-foot Cornish pilot gig.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.