Home |
| Back Issues |
| Message Boards |
| Calendar of Events |
| Race Results |
| Current Weather |
Advertise |
| Free Issue |
| Subscribe |
| Distributors |
| About Us |
CANOEING & KAYAKING
A Variety of Races for All Paddlers
By Rich MacDonald
 Courtesy of Greene County Promotion Dept. |
As I'm writing this in mid-April, there is still snow on the ground, in places more than two-feet, and the lakes are still frozen, but it is never too early to think about the upcoming paddling season. For those with a competitive streak, there are a wide variety of races to test your mettle.
Although the annual Icebreaker Canoe Race has come and gone, May marks the true beginning of the racing season. Races abound throughout the Adirondacks, the North Country, and the Capital District. Do not be intimidated if you are not an advanced paddler or you do not have a state-of-the-art boat. Each race offers classes for all levels of paddler—recreational, novice, and expert; men's, women's and mixed; young and old; solo and tandem; canoe or kayak; and in just about every conceivable combination.
Races typically have entry fees ranging from $5 to $15 per person (the Adirondack Canoe Classic charges $60). Most races offer t-shirts to entrants with a post-race meal or barbeque; these events can be enjoyable for the whole family. Bring plenty of water, and remember to make a last-minute pit stop before the starting gun turns the paddlers loose. Races typically start in the morning, so be sure to arrive early enough to register. Take up your paddle, don your personal flotation device, and be prepared to have fun.
The 44th Annual Hudson River White Water Derby will be held the weekend of May 5th and 6th. This is the oldest, continuously run canoe and kayak race in northern New York. This festive race has slalom, sprint, and downriver sporting events in North Hudson and North Creek. For more information, call (800) 896-5428.
If whitewater is not your bag, on that same weekend is the 40th Annual Canton Canoe Weekend Rushton Races. The 5-, 12-, and 14-mile events all start and finish at Taylor Park on the Grasse River in Canton. For more information, call (315) 379-9241.
One of the most fun races is the 'Round the Mountain Canoe Race on May 20th; this year is the 14th offing. Starting on Lower Saranac Lake, the course heads west to the Saranac River, then downstream with a short carry around the Lower Locks, to Oseetah Lake eventually finishing on Lake Flower in downtown Saranac Lake. This race also has an Adirondack guideboat class. For more information, call the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 347-1992.
June 2nd and 3rd offers the Tupper Lake Flatwater Weekend. On Saturday, a 9-mile race down the Raquette River is well suited to most paddlers. For those more accustomed to pain, a 40-mile marathon from Long Lake, down the Raquette River, with a long portage around Raquette Falls eventually finishes on Simon Pond. For more information, call (518) 891-6565, ext. 114.
The St. Lawrence County Flatwater Weekend is June 9th and 10th, in Madrid and Huevelton, respectively. On Saturday, there is a 6-mile recreational course, with a 12-mile course for more serious competitors. Sunday offers 17- and 25-mile courses on the Oswegatchie River. For information on Saturday's race, call (315) 322-4041; for Sunday's events, call (315) 379-1252.
The No-Octane Regatta for Wooden Boats is June 15th-17th in Blue Mountain Lake. Sponsored by the Adirondack Museum, there are a series of events designed for the whole family. This is an event for people with wooden boats! Even if you do not have one, this is a must see if for no other reason than watching all the beautiful boats gathered in one place. For more information, call (518) 352-7311.
The 39th Willard Hanmer Guideboat & Canoe Race is July 1st. Starting at the State boat launch on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, there are classes for guideboats, canoes, kayaks, and war canoes. If you are feeling like one event is not enough, get together a team for the Rub-A-Dub-Dub race: pack four or more paddlers into a standard canoe and try to make it to the finish line (it is amazing how unstable a canoe becomes when it is loaded with paddlers). For more information, call the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 347-1992.
The Erie Canal Canoe Classic on July 7th offers 5-, 15-, and 29-mile courses. Based in Marcy, enjoy racing on the historic Erie Canal. For more information, call (315) 736-0511.
For a change of pace, try MAC's Sundowner Series on July 18th and August 8th. These 6-mile races on Upper Saranac Lake provide camaraderie, competition, and a chance to learn some racing strategy. For more information, call (518) 891-1176.
You can race in the shadow of one of the North Country's famous artists in the 21st Annual Frederic Remington Canoe Race on July 21. This 12-mile race on the Oswegatchie River is based in Huevelton. Beware of the strong currents known to lure boater into the drink. For more information, call (315) 393-1326.
The Saranac Flatwater Challenge on August 4th is in the Town of Saranac, on the Saranac River. There is a 1-mile sprint race, as well as 7-, 9-, and 15-mile courses. For more information, call (518) 563-7231.
The St. Regis Canoe Classic on August 5th is a wonderful event. Starting and finishing at Paul Smith's College, there is a 1-mile sprint class, a 5-mile river loop, a 7-mile course, and an 11-mile race class. For more information, call (518) 327-6389.
August 11th-12th is the Adirondack ARC Canoe Rendezvous. On Saturday, a 30-mile marathon starts on Upper Saranac Lake and finishes on Tupper Lake. Sunday offers a wide variety of events suitable for the whole family. For more information, call (518) 891-6565.
The Massena Grasse River Canoe Race on August 18th offers 1-, 5-, and 10-mile races in Massena. For more information, call (315) 769-5080 or (315) 384-3717.
The Remington II Canoe Race on September 1st is a 6-mile race on the Oswegatchie River, with the course between Rensselaer Falls and Huevelton. For more information, call (315) 379-9135.
Wrap up the season with the world-famous Adirondack Canoe Classic. This year, the 19th annual 90-mile race runs from September 7th-9th. The course follows the historic "Highway of the Adirondacks" from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. For more information, call the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 347-1992.
Rich MacDonald is a naturalist and paddler who has been exploring the
Adirondack lakes for 18 years. He lives and works in Keene Valley and
can regularly be found on Adirondack waters, guiding trips or researching
stories.
©2000-2003 Adirondack Sports & Fitness. All rights reserved.