Maine Canoe Races 2024 (Kayak & SUP)

Maine Canoe Races 2024 (Kayak & SUP)

Photo Credit: Dave Conley, Canoe the Wild. The dates are rolling in for the Maine Canoe Races 2024 season! Grab your canoe, kayak, or SUP, dust off your paddle, and get ready to race! There are many different types of races, from flatwater to whitewater, multi-sport challenge races, and many are Maine Canoe and Kayak Race Organization (MaCKRO) points races.

There are still more events I’m waiting on dates from, so check back often! I’ll add the missing races as they come in!  If I’ve missed any races that have announced their dates, please let me know so I can add them.

Here’s what is on the schedule so far for the
Maine Canoe Races 2024 Season!

March

Saturday, March 30
Race: 43rd Annual St.George River Race
Time: 11:00 am   
Packet Pickup: 8:30 to 10:30 am
Location: Downtown Searsmont
Type: WW, 5.5 miles
Point Series: MaCKRO DR Series Race #1 
Registration: $30 register online  https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-st-george-river-race-registrations
Sponsors: https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-wcy-river-race-sponsorships
Contact: Waldo County Y Race Director WCYRiverRace@waldocountyymca.org,
Website: https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-wcy-river-races or 207-338-4598 for more information
Map: St George Race Route

April

Saturday, April 6
Race: 49th Annual Passagassawakeag River Race
Time: 11:00 am
Packet Pickup: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Passagassawakeag Stream, Savage Road, Waldo. (at the Littlefield farm as in the past)
Type: WW, 5.3 miles 
Point Series: MaCKRO DR Series Race #2 
Registration: $30, ONLINE Registration. https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-passy-river-race-registration
Sponsors: https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-wcy-river-race-sponsorships
Contact: Waldo County Y Race Director WCYRiverRace@waldocountyymca.org, Website: https://www.waldocountyymca.org/2024-wcy-river-races or 207-338-4598 for more information Russell Werkman, Waldo County YMCA www.waldocountyymca.org
Map: Passy Race Route

Saturday, April 13
Race: 6th Annual Eliot Lamb Memorial Souadabscook Stream Race 
Part 1 of Whitewater Weekend!
Race Start Time:  Noon
Registration Location: Vafiades Landing for all courses, Hampden
Start Lines: Vafiades Landing for downriver and short course races; Manning Mill Bridge for whitewater course
Type: WW, 7.5 mile downriver course plus short WW course and beginner course
Point Series: MaCKRO DR Series Race #3 
Registration: begins at 9:30 am, closes at 11:00 am, Safety meeting 11:30 am; Race starts at noon
 -$25 non-ACA member, $20 ACA member
Other Information:  Helmets required for all courses, float bags recommended for all courses. 
-Downriver and whitewater course will both end at Hampden Water Works
-Short Course will end at Manning Mill Bridge river right.  Combined awards ceremony for both the Sou and the Marsh follow the Marsh race on Sunday.
Contact: The Lamb family: inmemoryofeliot@gmail.com (207) 949-4210 
Map: Souadabscook Stream Course Map 

Sunday, April 14
Race: Marsh Stream Downriver Race 
Part 2 of Whitewater Weekend!
Start Time: Noon;  Pre-race meeting at 11:30, at the put-in
Location: Rte 139; intersection of Stream Rd & Dam Rd, Rt 139, Winterport 
Type: WW; 6miles 
-If proper safety is available, we will offer two race courses. One will end at the bridge where the gauge is located on river left (same as 2023 race)
 -Full race to parking lot at Mill Lane will be an option for those looking to include the entirety of the stream. With proper safety provided, an optional portage around Flat Rock Falls will be included in the race this year
Point Series:  MaCKRO DR Series Race #4
Registration: 10 am-11:30 am at put-in take-out off Rte 139 
 -$25 non-ACA members, or  $20 with ACA membership card
Other Information:  Helmets are required for both kayaks and canoes.  Air bags recommended.  
Combined awards ceremony for the Sou and the Marsh race on Sunday. The race finishes 1/2 mile upstream from the take-out in downtown Frankfort, Rt 1A.
Contact: The Lamb Family inmemoryofeliot@gmail.com   (207) 949-4210 
Registration Forms:  Information on the Sou/Marsh website.
Map: Marsh Steam Course

Saturday, April 20
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: MaCKRO DR Series Race #5
Registration:  3 options:  (1) download the  2024 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 is only available through April 18. OR (3) Register (April 19&20) one day before or the day of the 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 2024:  $50 per paddler if registering by April 1;  $65 per paddler if registering April 2-11;  $75 per paddler if registering on race day eve or race day (April 19&20).
Note: If you register between April 12-20th, your starting race time will be towards the end of the race. No refunds are issued after one week before the race. The race staff reserves the right to determine a paddler’s final race classification.
Bib & shirt pickup options:  Pick up your race bib and shirt at Bangor Parks & Recreation between April 15-19; 8-4:30; 647 Main St., Bangor ME 04401   OR You may also pick up your bib and shirt on Race Day (April 16th) at Kenduskeag Union Church from 8:30-9:30. 
Website:  https://www.kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com/info/
Mike’s site for race information, race history, photos, & more at kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com
Contact: Bangor Dept. of Parks & Recreation  (207) 992-4490 zach.napsey@bangormaine.gov

May

Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5
Race: Kenduskeag Slalom
Start Times:  Saturday, 4:00 pm: Special class offered at this race: Combined Class. Show off your downriver paddling. Race starts at Bulls Eye Bridge, and finishes 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.  
Note:  No Slalom Clinic this year.  Beginners (and all paddlers) are welcome to practice Saturday and compete Sunday.
There will be a beginner course for K1, OC1, OC2.
Sun, 9 am – Slalom competition starts, including combined runs
Location: Kenduskeag Stream, Valley Ave. & Exchange St. (Bangor)
Type: 2.5 mi Class II+ WW 
Point Series: NE Slalom Series
Website: http://nessrace.com/kenduskeag-slalom/  Please register early and save money!
Registration: $20 1st race, $10 2nd & $5 3rd. Pre-registration and covid waivers are mandatory as with other races this spring. Online registration closes Wednesday 5/1 at 11:59pm. Mail and phone registrations will be accepted through Thursday, 5/2. 
Contact: Clayton Cole (207 944-0856), c1colepaddler@gmail.com
Other info: Hard shell helmets are required. 
This is the only slalom race in Maine. Race benefits charity.
Camping & Pot Luck at Penobscot Salmon Club by donation ($10 suggested) – 582 N Main St, Brewer. Just 3 miles from the race site.

Saturday, May 4
Race: Meduxnekeag Canoe Race
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Houlton
Type: WW, 8 miles
Point Series: MaCKRO DR Series Race #8 
Registration: $15 adult, $10 youth under 18, 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.
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, May 11
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:  Flatwater, 6.2 Miles
Registration: in person day of event 8:30-9:30 am or preregister online at www.caribourec.org. 
Race Fee:  $10 per paddler 19 and over, $ 5 per paddler 18 and under
Other: The first 75 participants will receive a t-shirt and CASH payout to both canoe and kayak division winners for a total of 10 different division winners.  Shuttles are provided at the end of the race back to the start. Awards immediately following at Forbes Pit
Contact:    sleeper@cariboumaine.org

Saturday, May 11
Race: Baskahegan Stream Canoe Race
Time: 7:30 am
Location: East Grand High School, Danforth
Type: Flatwater 34 miles (wilderness paddling)
Registration: Pre-registration is required, check-in 7:00 am, $20 per person, $30 per person day of event
Contact: Dave Conley (207) 551-8729,  dave@canoethewild.com
Web site: download forms online 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 11
Race: East Grand Adventure Race
Time: 8:45 am
Location: East Grand High School, Danforth
Type: 20 mile-compass run, mountain bike, climbing wall, and paddle (canoe or kayak). Extra challenges may include tough mudder crawl, log rolling, etc.
9 Divisions, High School, Adult, Family, Open (Open division can be a relay team, solo, or 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 is required. 7:30-8:00 am check-in at East Grand High. $20 per person, $30.00 per person on the event day.
Contact: Dave Conley (207) 551-8729, dave@canoethewild.com
Web site: download forms online at http://www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race/
Other info: Registration fee includes t-shirt, lunch, and awards.

Saturday, May 18
Race: Aroostook River Fun Run
Time:  Mandatory Race Briefing 10:45 Race begins at 11:00
Location:  Washburn Boat Launch to Presque Isle Boat Launch
Type:  Flatwater, 10
Registration: in person the day of the event 8:30-9:30 am or preregister online at www.presqueislerotary.org/riverrun
Race Fee:  $10 per paddler 19 and over, $5 per paddler 18 and under
Other:  Canoe/Kayak drop off in Washburn, park at Presque Isle. Shuttles provided from Presque Isle to Washburn boat launch for the race start.
Contact: Jennifer Morin, Presque Isle Rotary Club, 207-540-6223, outdoorgirl987@gmail.com

June

Saturday, June 1
Race: Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race
Time: Participant meeting 10:10 am @ Kermit Crandall Park
Location: Millinocket, start below Millinocket Lake Dam and finish at Kermit Crandall Park
Type: WW solid class II/II+(III). The course for this race is 7.4 miles from Millinocket Lake Dam to Kermit Crandall Park in Millinocket. Millinocket Stream is a drop pool stream with many interesting and busy class II/II+ rapids during the first 4 miles.
Registration: 8-10 am, $25 per person (ACA member) | $35 per person (non-ACA member) | $50 per person day of. Register online here.
Parking: Parking at the put-in is frowned upon due to limited space. Paddlers are encouraged to utilize provided transportation courtesy of North Country Rivers, OSI, and Bragdon Bus Service. Other options are to bring a shuttle driver or to drop off boats and equipment beforehand and catch the complimentary bus, vans, and canoe trailers to the put-in which will leave Kermit Crandall Park promptly at 10:35 am.
Website: https://paddlemillinocket.org/
Contact: Chris Howe (207) 607-0691 – funpow89@yahoo.com
Other Info: Hard shell helmets, PFDs, and throw bags are required, float bags are highly recommended for open boats.

July

Saturday, July 6
Race: Sheepscot River Race
Time: Start time 1:30 pm
Location: Starting at the Newcastle Route 1 Rest Area Bridge and finishing at the Wiscasset Waterfront.
Type: Flatwater, 6-mile canoe, kayak, and SUP race. One of the most scenic Maine Paddling Race Courses with four miles of moving water meandering through beautiful protected marshes and riverbanks. This race is part of the Maine Canoe & Kayak Flat Water Racing Series.
Registration: $20.00/ PERSON Registration –  Only $5 for kids under age 17 & adults over 70! Newcastle Rest Area Registration opens race day at 11 am. Print and mail in your registration by clicking here.
Parking: Newcastle Route 1 Rest Area. Awards and refreshments will follow the race at the Wiscasset Waterfront in Wiscasset, and a shuttle from the finish line will be available immediately following the awards ceremony.
Website: https://www.seaspraykayaking.com/sheepscot-river-race-2/
Contact: Scott Shea at (207) 751-3450 or e-mail: info@seaspraykayaking.com
Other Info: MaCKRO rules, lifejackets must be worn.
RACE CLASSES
Racing /Recreational
Canoeing:  OC 1 Men & Women
OC 2 Men, Women & Mixed,  Adult/Youth 
War Canoes:  4 person, 6 person & 10+ person
Kayaking: K-1 Men & Women, Youth 
Sea Kayak:  K-1 Men & Women,  Youth
K-2 Open
Paddleboards:  Under 12’6 ” & 12’6″+