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AUBURN — The Androscoggin Land Trust will hold its third annual Canoe & Kayak River Race at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 23, before the kickoff of the annual Great Falls Brewfest that afternoon.
The race will take off from Festival Plaza boat launch on Main Street. Participants have three course options to choose from this year:
* Long Distance Paddle — Mostly slow-moving water with a section of class I-III rapids; distance, 7 miles; average time, 1.5 hours; finish, Durham Boat Launch
* Twin City Boomerang Paddle, Auburn to Lewiston and back upriver to Auburn (no rapids); distance, 3 miles; average time, 45 minutes; finish: Festival Plaza, Auburn
* Twin City Paddle: Short, fun paddle (no rapids) Auburn to Lewiston; Distance: 1.5 miles; Average time: 20 minutes; Finish: Lincoln Street Boat Launch, Lewiston.
Registration and check-in is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive in time to check in and unload boats in advance of the 9 a.m. mass start time. The cost is $30 for a single canoe or kayak and $40 for a double canoe or kayak; all proceeds support the conservation, stewardship, outdoor education and events of ALT.
New this year, there will be an option to rent a canoe or kayak from Shaker Hill Outdoors, which will be delivered to/from the race location on race day. Those interested should call Shaker Hill at 207-998-5390 to reserve a boat as far in advance of the race as possible. Also new this year, preceding the awards ceremony in Festival Plaza, there will be live music by Chris Robley and food for purchase by Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe. As in past years, registrants for the race that are 21+ will receive a code for a 15% discount to the brewfest while tickets are still available.
“Last year, we had over 60 racers for the event and are hoping to have even more people come out this year,” race spokesperson Shelley Kruszewski said. According to ALT, the Long Distance Paddle includes a section of rapids typically rated Class I or II. There are also course options available that do not include rapids.
“Racers are able to experience unique sections of the Androscoggin River, paddling past the iconic Lewiston canals, beyond the confluence of the Little Androscoggin River and, in the case of the Long Distance Paddle option, through Dressers Rips, with many other recreational enthusiasts,” Kruszewski said.
A free shuttle service provided by Northeast Charter will be available for transport from finish locations back to Festival Plaza in Auburn or boaters can arrange for pickups. Prizes will be awarded at Festival Plaza to the top finishers in each category and an additional prize will be awarded to the boat or paddler with the best costume, and the race will go on rain or shine.To register, and for race rules, safety tips, and more information, go to androscogginlandtrust.org, call 207-782-2302, or email at info@androscogginlandtrust.org.
The Androscoggin Land Trust is a membership-supported organization that protects over 5,000 acres of important natural areas and traditional landscapes to benefit the natural and human communities through nineteen towns in the Androscoggin watershed from Jay to Lisbon, Maine. They work by promoting stewardship and supporting a network of public and privately owned land.
