Maine 2018 Canoe & Kayak Races Schedule

It’s time to prepare for the 2018 Maine Canoe & Kayak Race Season!  The season runs from the end of March to October each year and offers races for every paddle style.  Some are points races while others are just for fun.  This year’s lineup features 37 different races across the state of Maine.  Not interested in paddling?  Come watch the fun and support the paddlers in their race to the finish!  Listings with a (*) in front of them are unconfirmed dates.  Check back for updates!

Maine’s 2018 Canoe & Kayak Races

MARCH

March 31, 2018

39th Annual St. George River Race
Time: 11:00 am
Type: WW, 6 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #1 of 12
Registration: $20, 11:15 am -12:30 pm
Contact: Dale Cross/Waldo County YMCA, 338-4598,  director@waldocountyymca.org
Website: www.waldocountyymca.org
Other info: Race benefits Children’s programs at the Y
Map of the Race

APRIL

April 7, 2018

45th Annual Passagassawakeak River Race
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Passagassawakeag Stream – (Morrill)
Type: WW, 5.25 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #2 of 12
Registration: $20,  8:30-10:30 am
Contact: Dale Cross/Waldo County YMCA, phone: 338-4598, director@waldocountyymca.org
Website: www.waldocountyymca.org
Other info: Race benefits Children’s programs at the Y.

April 14, 2018

2nd Annual Eliot Lamb Memorial Soundabscook Stream Race
Time:  12:00 pm
Location: 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 of 12
Registration: begins at 10:00 am, closes at 11:30 am, at the put-in on Bog Road in Hamden; $20
Other Information:  Helmets required.
Contact: JD Burke, 207-852-6827; Rick ODonald, 207-848-3391, and
The Lambs (inmemoryofeliot@gmail.com), 207-942-3673
https://inmemoryofeliot.wixsite.com/souadabscookrace
Map of the Race

April 14, 2018

Marsh Stream Sprints and Downriver
Time: 10:00 am Sprints; 12:30 pm Downriver
Registration: Sprints 9 – 9:30 am, downriver by 12 noon.
Location: Marsh Stream, Frankfort (Winterport Snowmobile Club).  Downriver race starts near the bridge on the Loggin Road.  Pre-race meeting at 12:15 pm.
Type: WW, 6.3 miles with a short course option for less experienced paddlers
Point Series: DR Series Race  #4 & #5 of 12
Registration: Registration is at the Winterport Riverside Riders snowmobile club.
Contact: Bill Deighan, phone 234-2510
More information: Racers are invited to a barbecue at the Deighan’s house in Newburgh after the race. Hardshell helmets are required, but not for the party.  Airbags are highly recommended, especially for borrowed boats!
Map of the Race

April 20, 2018

Kenduskeag Sprint
Time:  2:00 to 6:00 pm,  Register anytime between noon and 4:30 pm
Point Series:  DR Series Race #6 of 12
Location:  Shopping Cart rapids off Harlow Street, Bangor.  Registration, donation, and bib assignment all right at the starting line, near the Mayfield Dam portage in Bangor.
Registration:  Free for ACA members, $5 for non-ACA members. Plus donations, please, to support the Orono High canoe team.  Racers may race in as many different classes as they want in the time permitted.
Other: Helmets required for both kayaks and canoes. Times and places will be posted for bragging rights in Kenduskeag Village on Saturday morning.  Once registered put your boat in the queue for a start.
Contact: Jeff Owen, 866-8518, email: jcowen_01@yahoo.com

April 21, 2018

52nd Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
Time: 8:00 am
Location: Kenduskeag Stream, Kenduskeag (Grange Hall)
Type: WW, 16.5 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #7 of 12
Registration: $25 till 1pm Fri April 14. Race day registration 6:30-7am $50 and long lines.
Contact: Bangor Parks & Recreation, phone: 992-4490, Email: parks.rec@bgrme.org
Website: www.bangorparksandrec.com
Mike’s site for race information, race history, photos, & more – kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com
Other info: College and High School classes.
Map of the Race

April 28, 2018

46th Annual Kiwanis Piscataquis River Race
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Start: Athletic field in Guilford. Finish: Foxcroft Academy in Dover Foxcroft
Type: Class II WW, 7 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #8 of 12
Registration: 8-9:30 registration $30 day of race or $20 early bird registration by April 22
Other info: Bring your family and friends and enjoy a day on the river with hot food at start and finish and a gas card raffle to boot!
Contact: Jeff Kelly, phone: 717-5974  jeffkellydvm@gmail.com
Website: www.doverfoxcroftkiwanis.org
Release form & Waiver   | General Information |  Registration form

April 29, 2018

Machias
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Machias River, from First Machias Lake to the Airline Bridge
Type: WW, 10.5 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #9 of 12
Registration: 9 am, $25 entry fee ($20 for ACA members, $5 for Under 18s or FREE for Under 18 ACA members).
Contact: Jeff Owen, 866-8518, jcowen_01@yahoo.com
Other info: Hard shell helmets are required. Potluck cookout and awards ceremony will immediately follow the race at the finish line. Net proceeds to benefit the canoe racing team at Orono High School.

Sandy River Canoe/Kayak Race & Run Paddle, Farmington
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Starts at the American Legion at the intersection of Rt. 4 and 145 in Strong, ending at the Little League ball field in Fairbanks on Rt. 4.
Type: Flatwater with some Class 1 & 2 WW. 10 miles.
Point Series: DR Series Race #10 of 12
Registration: 11:30 – 12:30 AM.  $10 adults, $5 for students incl. college students. Pre-registration forms available at the UMF fitness and rec dept.
Contact: UMF phone 778-7494, website: frc.umf.maine.edu  or email James Toner: james.d.toner@maine.edu

MAY

May 5, 2018

Meduxnekeag
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Houlton
Type: WW, 8 miles
Point Series: DR Series Race #11 of 12
Registration: 8 – 9:30am ($15 adult, $10 youth)
Contact: Jane Torres (532-4216; director@greaterhoulton.com) or Peter Blood (532-2577)
Other info: Pre-register by 4/28 and get a free T-shirt. Benefits Dollars for Scholars.
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 the exit. Race start is on left, approx. 1 mile from the market.
FROM THE NORTH – From Route # 1, take right at third set of lights at the Randy 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 the market.
Registration form and waiver. (updated 5/27/17)

May 5 & 6, 2018

Kenduskeag Slalom
Sat, 4:00 pm: Special class offered at this race: Combined Class. Show off your downriver paddling. The 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. 2.5mi WW
Sun, 9 am – Slalom competition starts, including combined runs
Location: Kenduskeag Stream, Valley Ave. & Exchange St. (Bangor)
Type: Class II+ WW
Point Series: NE Slalom Series
Website: http://nessrace.com/kenduskeag-slalom/  please register early and save money!
Registration: $15 1st race, $10 2nd & 3rd. Registration is accepted April 1-30 via mail; late registration $25 possible on Saturday, May 2 by 2 pm
Contact: Clayton Cole, phone: 285-7356 eves, 285-7886 days Email: c1cole@roadrunner.com
Other info: Hard shell helmets are requiredThis is the only slalom race in Maine. The race benefits charity.  Help is needed all day Friday to set up the course.

May 12, 2018

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, phone 551-8729, email: dave@canoethewild.com
Website: 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. The race will be shortened if wind is forecasted. Entry fee includes lunch, t-shirt, and awards.

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). We’re adding a few new and exciting challenges this year which in the past have included a tough mudder crawl, tomahawk throwing, 2-person crosscut sawing and log rolling.
9 Divisions, Race in pairs in the High School boys, girls, mixed; Adult men, women, mixed, & Jr/Sr divisions, Family (compass run and paddle only), Open (can be a relay team, solo, teams of any size)
Door Prize is a New Vapor Kayak, paddle and life jacket donated by Old Town Canoe.
High School & Juniors in the Jr/Sr Division, 1st & 2nd place winners are awarded $100.00 & $50.00 gift certificates to Ski Rack Sports.
Pre-registration By Friday 1 pm $20 per person, $30.00 per person the day of the event
Check-in at East Grand High School: 7:30-8: 00 am,
Contact: Dave Conley, phone 551-8729, email: dave@canoethewild.com
Website: download forms online at http://www.canoethewild.com/east-grand-adventure-race/
Other info: Registration fee includes t-shirt, lunch, and awards.

May 19, 2018

Run of the Royal Corporate Canoe Challenge
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Royal River, start & finish at Yarmouth History Center, 118 E Elm St, Yarmouth
Type: FW 8-person relay,  four legs, 2.5mi per leg
Registration: Corporate: $475 before May 9, more after; School/Non-Profit/Family/Friends Canoe Relay $350 registration closes May 3
Contact: David Truesdell at runoftheroyal@gmail.com
Other info: online brochure for the race This race will support the Royal River Conservation Trust and its plans to acquire and improve paddling access points and shoreline habitat. This relay format, with eight racers paddling four legs, is an amazing team-building opportunity, so don’t let your company be left out! Though the race is targeted at corporate teams, any group is welcome to participate. Live music, food, art, historical society exhibits, raffle.

*Sebec River
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Sebec Village.
Type: FW 7.5 miles
Registration: 8:30 am in Sebec Village Reading Room. $20, T-shirts with registration
Contact: Bobby Ellison 279-0481(c)  943-2317(h)

*11th Annual Aroostook River Fun Run
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Starting at Thomas Brewer Park, ending at the P.I. Fish and Game club.
Type: FW 8 miles
Registration: 8-9:30am $10 in advance, $15 on day of race, T-shirts to first 75 registrations
Contact: Mike Gudreau, 540-6142, michaelgudreau@aol.com

May 20, 2018

*Union River
Time: High Noon
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 #12 of 12
Registration: 10:00-11:30 am at the Graham Lake Dam on rt 180 (Mariaville Rd). $20 or $15 with ACA membership
Contact: Angus Deighan 570-6695, email anguswilliamdeighan@gmail.com
Other info: Helmets Required
At the end of the race will be a shin-dig wing-ding. Final Downriver Series awards will be awarded to deserving athletes who paddled hard!  Bring some food ’cause it’s Potluck, and there will be a Mussel Feed.  There probably wont be a beer tent, but we can hope.

JUNE

June 2, 2018

*Lincoln Snowhounds River Race
Time:  7:30 am
Type:  FW, 13 miles
Registration:  Registration opens at 8 am. The start is at Winn Boat Landing; Finish is at South Lincoln Boat Landing.  Preregistration — $20.00, or $30.00 on the day of the race.
Contact:  Rob Thornton  robthornton87@gmail.com  207-290-2560
Race information/flyer:  https://www.facebook.com/Lincoln-Snowhounds-Snowmobile-Club-335054495316/ 

June 9, 2018

*Moose River Race
Time:  11:00 am
Type:  FW, 8 miles
Registration:  Registration opens at 8 am. $15.00, or $10.00 if postmarked by June 6.
Contact:  Amy Lane 534-7362 email:  amy@grayghostcamps.com
Online reservation form:  http://www.rockwoodonmoosehead.org/images/moose-river-canoe-kayak-race.pdf
Race map.  http://www.rockwoodonmoosehead.org/images/moose-river-race-map.jpg
Helmets required for kayaks.

June 16, 2018

Bashabez Run Canoe and Kayak Race, Penobscot River
Time:  Noon  (High tide is at 1:29 PM)
Location: Starts on the north end of Indian Island on Cemetery St, above Joe Peas Rips. Finish at the Brewer Riverside Park.
Type: WW. 15.5mi. Class 2-3, mostly fast-moving smooth water. For intermediate to advanced canoes and kayaks. One portage at Milford Dam, Old Town Side.
Registration: 10:30 am at Start. The standard array of WW classes will be offered.
Contact: John Neptune 207-659-3490  john.neptune@penobscotnation.org
Other info: Historical flow for June is 4,000-6,000 cfs, but could be higher depending on rainfall.
Race times are expected to be 2 1/2 to 3 hours and will coincide with an outgoing tide at the finish.The width of the river will allow paddlers to choose from a number of possible routes rewarding those with good river reading skills. This stretch of the Penobscot is 200-300 yds wide with three or four rapids and long stretches of shallow, moving current.  The start will call attention the important role played by the Penobscot Nation on the Penobscot River and the River Restoration. The portage calls attention to the remaining dam and the remarkable change in the river downstream to tidewater in Bangor with the removal of Great Works and Veazie Dams. The finish will highlight the history of recreational salmon fishing on the Penobscot.
Awards Ceremony at the Finish.
Helmets required.
Hosted by Team Penobscot:  All proceeds from this race will go towards sending Team Penobscot’s youth to the 2018 North American Indigenous Games.

*Grand Isle Canoe/Kayak Race
Time:  10:00 am
Type:  FW, 10 miles.
Registration:  8:00 AM at the Madawaska Boat Landing (behind Central Hardware); $15 per Adult and $10 per youth (between 16-10 years of age)
Contact:  207-895-3311, Grand Isle General Store

June 23, 2018

*Great Falls Boats n’ Brews River Race
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 am registration; 9:00 am Race
Location: Auburn to Durham.  Start location: Festival Plaza/Auburn Boat Launch, Main St., Auburn (volunteers will direct you where to unload and park)
Finish locationDurham Public Boat Launch, Rt. 136, Durham
Type: FW with class 1 stretches.
Registration: 8am $30 day of race, $15 for 12 & under; Early bird registration discount until May 25, 2017
Other info: Androscoggin Land Trust is pleased to announce our second annual Great Falls Boats ‘n’ Brews River Race. This family-friendly, amateur competitive race is being held by the Androscoggin Land Trust in conjunction with the Great Falls Brewfest.  Participants can spend the morning enjoying a competitive paddle down the Androscoggin River, and if interested, they may spend the afternoon partaking in Brewfest-ivities!
Other:  Entries received by end-of-business Friday, June 9, 2017, will receive a t-shirt and a race packet on race day. Late and race-day registration includes only the free shuttle service. Limited quantities and sizes of t-shirts will be available for purchase to late registrants and spectators.
Contact: 782-2302 or email us at info@androscogginlandtrust.org http://androscogginlandtrust.org/events/

JULY

July 4, 2018

*Sheepscot River
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Newcastle (Marsh River) to Downtown Wiscasset-  Flat Water with a tidal push.
Type: FW- 6mi
Registration: 10:00 am, $15 ($12 for pre-registration and $5 for kids under 17).  See http://www.seaspraykayaking.com/events-at-seaspray/ for more information and to download the registration form.
Contact: Scott Shea, 751-3450, email: info@seaspraykaying.com
Other info: Free t-shirts for all participants! Sponsored by Seaspray Kayaking, Epic Paddles, and local businesses.

*Sebec Lake
Time: Roughly 10:30 am (usually a short time” after the parade)
Location: Sebec Village
Type: FWshort 4-mile rec course, longer 8-mile race course
Registration: $10-$15 near the bridge
Contact: Peter Wright
Website: http://www.trcmaine.org/sebec4th
Other info: 5k road race at 8 am, parade at 9, canoe/kayak race at 10:30, bbq 11:30 -1:30.

July 22, 2018

*Pushaw Lake FW Race
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Lakeside Landing, Sandy Beach, Glenburn
Type: FW8 miles, 4 miles, youth race
Point Series: FW Series
Registration: 8 am – 9:30 am  Rec/Rac Canoe, Rec/Rac Kayak classes
Contact: Dan Baumert 207 249-9238 C/ 207 884-8052 H Email: dan.baumert@me.usda.gov
Other Info: Community Event, food, safety demo, Maine Lake Society
Race Information Sheet | Race Course Map

July 26, 2018

*Orono Paddlers Thursday Night Community Race Series
Time:  5:30 pm
More information here and on the Orono Paddlers Facebook page.

AUGUST

August 2, 2018

 *Orono Paddlers Thursday Night Community Race Series
Time:  5:30 pm
More information here and on the Orono Paddlers Facebook page.

August 9, 2018

 *Orono Paddlers Thursday Night Community Race Series
Time:  5:30 pm
More information here and on the Orono Paddlers Facebook page.

August 12, 2018

*West Grand Lake
Time: Various Starts between 11:00 and 11:30 am
Location: Public Landing on West Grand Lake
Type: Flatwater4 races (youth, 4-mile, 6-mile, and 12-mile)
Registration: 9:15 – 10:15 am; Pre-registration $20, $10 for 12&under; Day of race $25 and $15
Contact: Colin Brown, Downeast Lakes Land Trust, phone: 796-2100
Website: www.downeastlakes.org

August 16, 2018

 *Orono Paddlers Thursday Night Community Race Series
Time:  5:30 pm
More information here and on the Orono Paddlers Facebook page.

August 18, 2018

*Tour de Verona
Time: 10am
Location: Verona Island Boat Launch
Type: FW11-12 miles, high wind exposure
Registration: 9 am, $10 per paddler; 16 & under free
Contact: John Carter 667-2634 audreycarter314@gmail.com or Dan Baumert at dan.baumert@me.usda.gov

August 23, 2018

 *Orono Paddlers Thursday Night Community Race Series
Time:  5:30 pm
More information here and on the Orono Paddlers Facebook page.

SEPTEMBER

September 15, 2018

*Saco River
Time:
Location: Long race starts just below the falls on Main Street to the entrance of Saco Bay, Camp Ellis (4 miles out and 4 miles back).  The 4-mile race would just go halfway out and back.
Type: FW & tidal, 4mi & 8mi
Registration:
Contact:
Other info: In conjunction with the River Jam event Biddeford and Saco

*Penobscot River
Champion the Cure Challenge
A ‘fun’ paddle event to raise donations for cancer care and research
Time: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Registration Fees: Adults 18 and up $25, Children $15 [must be accompanied by an adult].  Participants are encouraged to solicit pledges from friends, family, and business for this worthy cause.
Location: Penobscot River Brewer.  Courses of varying length to suit all participants.
More details to follow.
Participants: An estimated 100 participants will take part in a paddle with kayak or canoe.

September 29, 2018

*Ebb Tide Marathon
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Brewer, just South of Joshua Chamberlain Bridge
Type: FW11 miles from the Brewer boat launch to Orrington
Registration: 9:00 am, $10 per paddler; 16 and under free
Contact: John Carter 667-2634 audreycarter314@gmail.com or Dan Baumert at dan.baumert@me.usda.gov

OCTOBER

October 7, 2018

*War Canoe Race
Time: 12:00 Noon
Location: Long Pond, Mt Desert Island
Type: FW
Registration: 10:30-11:30
Contact: c1cole@roadrunner.com

*Muskrat Scramble
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Brewer Lake Road, Orrington, Sedgeunkedunk Stream, Orrington
Out and back course starting at the dam just beyond Bob’s Kozy Korner store on Brewer Lake Road in Orrington, which is at the intersection of Johnson Mill Road. About 4 miles on Sedgeunkedunk Stream.
Type: FW. Winding with no rapids and negligible current. Racers’ choice of 2.5mi or 4.5mi race.
Registration: No entry fee, beginners welcomed, modest prizes given.
Contact: Larry Merril  lawmerr@gmail.com
This is a fun late-season race that gives paddlers one last chance to race before winter sets in.

Leave a Comment