Fall River-Based Toboggan Team Wants All the ‘Chowda’

A Fall River-based toboggan racing team perfectly named "Chowda Heads" is gearing up to take home a win with a local restaurateur joining the team.

The Chowda Heads are led by Donald LeBlanc, who has been building and racing his handmade toboggans for years.

Leblanc, 79, has been racing and attending the national toboggan racing championships in Camden, Maine for five years. This year’s competition is the end of January and expected to have 400-plus toboggan teams taking part.

With a team name like "Chowda Heads," you can't just compete; you have to also bring the clam chowder, which LeBlanc prepares himself. The team will also bring stuffies and toboggans up for the weekend festival and competition.

Last year, the team took home third place but really they won the chowder game hands down.

Leblanc doesn't just compete; he has also handcrafted 10 toboggans himself, conveniently naming them each after some of our favorite seafood, such as Mussels. The toboggans are exquisite with curved wood and beautiful finishes.

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While the adult team may be the Chowda Heads, there is a new Fall River kids racing team being put together called the "Cup O’ Chowda Heads." How adorable is that?

Leblanc and the team have been featured in Yankee magazine and on WCVB's Chronicle program. It's a real New England vibe.

To bring this full circle, the toboggan team thought it would be fitting for Fall River restaurant The Tipsy Toboggan to not only sponsor the team, but also have owner Karl Pelletier actually join the team and help them take home first place.

That's how you take home all the chowda.

Pelletier told us he has little to no experience actually competing in the sport, but he's all in.

"I’ve thought about it long and hard (about two minutes) and this year I’ll be on the Chowda Heads team on a toboggan heading down the hill finishing on the frozen lake," he said. "I think we will win first place!"

We definitely wish them luck and hope the chowder keeps them warm.

The teams are always looking for local sponsors. Leblanc's daughter helps the team with sponsorships and you can email her anytime.