It’s Time to Start Getting Ready for the 2023 Maine Canoe Races!
The dates are still rolling in for some of the 2023 Maine canoe races so check back often, I’ll add the missing dates as I get them! If I’ve missed any dates please let me know so I can add them! Here’s what we’ve got so far for 2023 Maine Canoe Races:
Saturday, March 25
Race: 42nd Annual St.George River Race
Time: 11:00 am
Packet Pickup : 9:00 to 10:30am
Location: downtown Searsmont
Type: WW, 6 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #1
Registration: $50 for teams, $30 for single paddler, ONLINE Registration. https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/sAfvksegfsVoIh1nZCupVw
Contact: Waldo County YMCA: www.waldocountyymca.org, rwerkman@waldocountyymca.org or 207-338-4598 for more information
Map of the Race
Saturday, April 1
Race: 48th Annual Passagassawakeag River Race
Time: 11:00 am
Packet Pickup : 9:00 to 10:30am
Location: Passagassawakeag Stream, Savage Road, Waldo. (at the Littlefield farm as in the past)
Type: WW, 7 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #2
Registration: $50 for teams, $30 for single paddler, ONLINE Registration. https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wjc1MsUctLDDHfblusTmCQ
Contact: Waldo County YMCA: www.waldocountyymca.org, rwerkman@waldocountyymca.org or 207-338-4598 for more information
Saturday, April 9
Race: 5th Annual Eliot Lamb Memorial Souadabscook Stream Race
Time: Noon
Location: Vasiades Landing for downriver and short course; Manning Mill for whitewater Souadabscook Stream, Hampden
Type: WW, 7.5 mile downriver course plus short WW course and beginner course. End of the downriver course will be at the Water Works building in downtown Hampden.
Point Series: DR Series Race #3
Registration: begins at 9:30 am, closes at 11:00 am, Safety meeting 11:30 am; Race starts at noon,at the put-in on Bog Road in Hamden; $25 non-ACA member, $20 ACA member
Other Information: Helmets required.
Contact: The Lambs inmemoryofeliot@gmail.com (207) 949-4210
https://inmemoryofeliot.wixsite.com/souadabscookrace
Map of the Race
Sunday, April 10
Race: Marsh Stream Downriver Race
Waiting to hear from race directors for confirmation and details
Saturday April 15
Race: Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
Time: 10 am
Start: Town of Kenduskeag Finish: near the confluence of the Penobscot River in downtown Bangor.
Type: 16.5 mi, Class 2 & 3 WW, 2 mandatory portages.
Point Series: DR Series Race #5
Registration: 3 options: 1/ download the 2023 registration form and return the form with your payment OR 2/ register and pay online via Bangor Parks & Recreation once online registration opens.(Note: online registration April 8th-14th). OR 3/ register (April 15-16) one day before or day of race (Note: cash or check and in person only, not online.)
You may also register in person by visiting the Bangor Parks & Recreation office.
Registration fees for 2023: $45 per paddler if registered by April 7th; $60 per paddler if registering April 8th through April 14th; $75 per paddler if registering on race day eve or race day (April 15th/16th).
No refunds are issued after one week before the race.
Website: https://www.kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com/info/
Mike’s site for race information, race history, photos, & more: kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com
Saturday, April 22
Race: 49th Annual Kiwanis Piscatiquis River Race
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Start: King Cummings Park in Guilford. Finish: Foxcroft Academy in Dover Foxcroft
Type: Class II WW, 7 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #6
Registration: 7:30-9:30 am registration $30 day of race or $20 early-bird registration by April 18
Other info: Bring your family and friends and enjoy a day on the river with hot food at start and finish and a raffle to boot!
Contact: Jeff Kelly (207) 717-5974
jeffkellydvm@gmail.com
Website: www.doverfoxcroftkiwanis.org
Release form & Waiver | General Information | Registration form
Sunday, April 23
Race: Machias
Waiting to hear from race directors for confirmation and details
Saturday, April 29
Race: Meduxnekeag
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Houlton
Type: WW, 8 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #8
Registration: 8 – 9:30 am ($20 adult, $10 youth under 16) Change to: Pre-registration is mandatory by calling the Chamber at 207-532-4216 or 694-3414 for a race form, coming into the Chamber at 109 Main St. in Houlton or visiting the website at greaterhoulton.com for a race form. Checks, cash or credit cards are accepted for payment. Racers must be at the race briefing at 9:30 to participate. $20 for adults, $10 for children under 16.
Contact: Jane Torres (207) 532-4216 director@greaterhoulton.com or Peter Blood (207) 532-2577
Other info: Pre-register by 4/29 and get a free T-shirt.
DIRECTIONS: FROM THE SOUTH: Take Exit # 291 (formerly # 61) off 95; bear right at exit; turn right at Cameron’s Market (which will be on your right approx 5 miles from exit). Race start is on left, approx 1 mile from market.
FROM THE NORTH: From Route # 1, take right at third set of lights at the Lincoln Agency (Route 2). Turn left at Cameron’s Market, which will be on your left in approx 5.3 miles. Race start is on left, approx 1 mile from market.
Saturday, April 29
Race: Sandy River Canoe/Kayak Race & Fun Paddle, Farmington
Check-in 8:30AM
Start Time 9:00AM At Strong Legion Field
*Any tandem canoe holding 2 persons currently enrolled in College may compete for the Toner Cup in honor of James (Jim) Toner
Race Location: Starts at the American Legion at the intersection of Rt. 4 and 145 in Strong, ending at the Little League ballfield in Fairbanks on Rt. 4.
Type: Flatwater with some Class 1 & 2 WW. 10 miles.
Point Series: DR Series Race #9
Registration: by 8:30 AM. 2-person craft: $25, $15 for UMF students; 1-person craft: $15, $10 for UMF students.
Contact: UMF (207) 778-7494 or email Alison Thayer at athayer@maine.edu.
Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30
Race: Kenduskeag Slalom
Note: No Slalom Clinic this year. Beginners (and all paddlers) are welcome to practice Saturday and compete Sunday. Help is needed all day Friday to set up the course.
Location: Kenduskeag Stream, Valley Ave. & Exchange St. (Bangor)
Type: Class II+ WW
Point Series: NE Slalom Series
Start Times: Saturday, 4:00 pm Combined Class.
Race starts at Bulls Eye Bridge, finish below Shopping Cart hole. Use the same boat Sunday, and pair the better of two slalom runs with your DR time. Special awards for the fastest DR and Slalom Combined class. 2.5-mi WW.
Sun, 9am – Slalom competition starts, including combined runs
There will be a beginner course for K1, OC1, OC2.
Registration: $15 1st race, $10 2nd & 3rd. Pre-registration and covid waivers are mandatory as with other races this spring. Online registration closes Wednesday 4/28 at 11:59pm. Mail and phone registrations will be accepted through Thursday, 4/29.
Website: http://nessrace.com/kenduskeag-slalom/ please register early and save money!
Contact: Clayton Cole (207) 285-7356 eves, (207) 285-7886 days, c1cole@roadrunner.com
Other info: Hard shell helmets are required.
This is the only slalom race in Maine. Race benefits charity.
Saturday night camping available at Penobscot Salmon Club Brewer and at Clayton’s place in Corinth.
Saturday, May 6
Race: Meduxnekeag River Canoe Kayak Race
Type: Benefit- raising money for higher education
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Location: Starts in New Limreck, ends at Riverfront Park in Houlton
Registration Fee: $15
Contact: 207-532-4216 director@greaterhoulton.com
Details: Join Roughly 100 Spring Time High Water River Racers Very Enthusiastic About Paddling Over 9 Miles In Aroostook County! For Over 35 Years, This Houlton Maine River Race Has Helped Raise Money For Higher Education And To Celebrate Spring. Stay Tuned For The Moving Date Depending On Water Levels During Spring Snow Melt Off Signaling The End Of Winter In Maine. Watch The Canoe Race Videos Of This Yearly Spring Outdoor Family Fun Event. Fresh Air, Fast Water, Fun Times With Others In Your Canoe Or On The River That Starts In New Limerick! The Canoe Race Ends At Riverfront Park In Houlton Maine.
Saturday, May 13
Race: Baskahegan Stream Canoe Race
Time: 7:30 am
Location: East Grand High School, Danforth
Type: FW 34 miles (wilderness paddling)
Pre-registration required, check-in 7:00 am, $20 per person, $30 per person day of event
Contact: Dave Conley (207) 551-8729, dave@canoethewild.com
Website: download forms on line at http://www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race/
Note: This will be in conjunction with the East Grand Adventure Race as a paddle only option. Race will be shortened if wind is forecasted. Entry fee includes lunch, t-shirt and awards.
Saturday, May 13
Race: East Grand Adventure Race
Time: 8:45 am
Location: East Grand High School, Danforth
20 miles-compass run, mountain bike, climbing wall and paddle (canoe or kayak). Extra challenges may include climbing wall, tough mudder crawl, log rolling, etc.
9 Divisions, High School, Adult, Family, Open (Open division can be a relay team, solo, teams of any size. In short, anything that doesn’t fit into the other divisions can compete in the open division. Family division leaves out the biking leg…great for families with younger kids and those not up for the biking leg).
Registration: Pre-registration required. 7:30-8:00am check-in at East Grand High. $20 per person, $30.00 per person the day of the event.
Contact: Dave Conley (207) 551-8729, dave@canoethewild.com
Website: download forms on line at http://www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race/
Other info: Registration fee includes t-shirt, lunch and awards.
Saturday, May 13
Race: Sebec River
Contact: Bobby Ellison (207) 279-0481(c) (207) 943-2317(h) tanyaellison3@yahoo.com or Nancy Harrigan menancyharrigan@gmail.com.: cell–943-3677 and home: 943-7377
Saturday, May 13
Race: Aroostook River Spring Runoff Canoe and Kayak Race
Time: Mandatory Race Briefing 9:45 am, race begins 10:00 AM
Location: Lower Lyndon Street Boat Launch, Caribou
Type: Mostly Flatwater, 6.2 Miles
Registration: in person day of event 8:30-9:30am or preregister online at www.caribourec.org.
Race Fee: $10 per paddler 19 and over, $Free for paddler 18 and under
Other: First 75 participants will receive a t-shirt, CASH payout to both canoe and kayak division winners for a total of 10 different division winners. Shuttles provided at completion of race back to start. Awards immediately following at Forbes Pit
Contact: Neal Sleeper, Caribou Parks & Rec, 207-493-4224, sleeper@cariboumaine.org
Sunday, May 14
41st Annual Madawaska River Run
Location: Stockholm.
Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the bridge on Little Madawaska Lake Road in Westmanland.
Race start: 10:00 a.m. Race ends at Stockholm American Legion.
Cost: $15/watercraft; includes one t-shirt. $12/extra t-shirt.
Visit www.facebook.com/StockholmLegion136
Saturday, May 20
Race: Union River
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Union River, Grand Lake Dam to Ellsworth town dock
Type: WW–4.5-mile recreational race, one portage. Mass start.
Point Series: DR Series Race #10
Registration: 9:00-10:30 am at the Graham Lake Dam on Rt 180 (Mariaville Rd). $20 (or $15 with ACA membership, proceeds to help the homeless).
Contact: Angus Deighan (207) 570-6695, angus@rockygroundcider.com
Other info: Helmets required
Awards will not be given. After the race there will be a pot-luck mussel feed in the Ellsworth Harbor Park.
Registration Forms: The race director asks that you print, fill in, and bring to the race:
Registration form | ACA Adult Waiver
Saturday, June 3
Race: Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race
Type: WW Solid class II/II+ (III)
Time: Registration 8am-10am. Participant Meeting at 10:15 am @ Kermit Crandall Park.
Registration Fee: $25(ACA Member) $35 (non-ACA member) All proceeds benefit regional youth paddling programs.
Start: Below Millinocket Lake Dam;
Finish: at Kermit Crandall Park in Millinocket, ME
Contact: Chris Howe (207) 607-0691
Race information: Due to limited parking at the put-in, racers need to pre-drop boats at the put-in. Or ideally, utilize event transportation to get your boat to the put-in. There will be buses and canoe trailers to transport paddlers and boats to the river. Don’t worry about your own shuttle, just show up at the take out/registration area load your boat and enjoy the morning meeting new paddlers. Show up early! Awards for the Downriver Series will be presented following the race at the take out at Kermit Crandall Park
For more information and to register:
paddlemillinocket.org