Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous

The Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous (ROAR), part of Maine’s High Peaks PaddleFest, is a two-day, 40-mile paddling stage race featuring a paddle through the incredible lands and waters of the Rangeley Lakes showcasing the best of the area. See the tabs below for course descriptions, boat classes and awards, and additional details about PaddleFest. If you’re ready to register, please follow the link below.

 

Click Here to Register for the ROAR 2024

High Peaks PaddleFest

Together, the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust and the NFCT are creating an experience that showcases outdoor adventure, connection with the landscape and the small town character of the Rangeley Lakes area and entices canoe, kayak, SUP and guideboat enthusiasts from New England and beyond to join us on June 28-30, 2024.

 

The Maine High Peaks PaddleFest is a weekend of events and activities including equipment demos, paddling clinics and competitions big and small in a setting with lakes, mountains, small shops, outdoor heritage museums as well as food and music for everyone.

 

The main event of Maine’s High Peaks Paddlefest is the Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous (ROAR). The course will take place on the same chain of lakes, rivers and portages used by Maine’s Native people, settlers and guides, now part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Maine’s High Peaks PaddleFest will raise funds to steward waterway access and promote Maine’s Western Lakes and Mountains region as a tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

 

Schedule

Friday-Sunday: Maine’s High Peaks PaddleFest, including exhibitors, equipment demos and sales; outdoor games, kids events, speakers, book signings and more; silent auction; Esquif Rangeley 17 canoe raffle; libations, food and entertainment; and race awards (Sunday).

 

Saturday-Sunday: ROAR

 

Sunday: 10 am to noon, Youth Can Paddle! at Haley Pond Park, Pond Street, Rangeley, featuring paddle races, obstacle courses, face painting and more.

Day 1

Start in Rangely at Rangeley Town Cove Park, 31 Park Rd, Rangeley, ME. Paddle across the north side of Rangeley Lake and carry through Oquossoc past the fish hatchery and onto Lake Mooselookmeguntic. Continue across Mooselookmeguntic and south along the western shore to Upper Dam. Carry around Upper Dam to Richardson Lake. Paddle north on Richardson Lake to finish at Mill Brook Boat Launch. DISTANCE: 20 miles CARRIES: Two (1.2 miles total).

 

Day 2

Start at Mill Brook Boat Launch and reverse the course to finish at Rangeley Cove Town Park.

 

Relay Teams

Relay teams will switch in Oquossoc between Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic. Details will be provided in the Paddlers’ Guide, which will be sent to all before the race.

 

Mill Brook Boat Launch

A shuttle will be provided to transport racers to and from Mill Brrok after the finish on Day 1 and before the start on Day 2. Participants will be expected to leave their boats at Mill Brok overnight. We will provide an overnight guard to ensure the security of your craft. This launch is not large enough to accommodate a large number of cars and the access road cannot support two-way traffic. Pit Crews will not be permitted to drive in to Mill Brook Boat Launch.

Important Note on PFDs

All racers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest at all times. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Inflatable PFD’s are acceptable.

 

Race Classes & Boat Specs 

ROAR offers a variety of boat classes, described in detail below. When choosing a paddle craft for ROAR, racers should consider boats that are stable enough to handle the windy conditions often found on open lakes and light enough to transport over the carries. The use of wheels is permitted, and the 1.1 mile carry in Oquossoc is suitable for them. Certain modifications may be made to boats, such as stretching material over, or placing flotation bags in canoes. Please note that all modifications are subject to the approval of the boat judge. These guidelines have been written as specifically as possible, but all racers should note that the on-site boat judge is the final arbiter of all class decisions.

 

C-2 STOCK: Boats have minimal concave lines in the hull and no concave lines in the gunwales. Maximum length is 18′ 6”, no minimum weight. Minimum width at 4” waterline is 15 percent of length (33 5/16” for 18’6”). Tumblehome max is 1” per side. All NYPRA specifications apply. The current C-2 Stock list includes: Wenonah: Jensen 17, Jensen 18, Sundowner, Minnesota II, Monarch, Odyssey, Escape, and Escapade; GRB Newman Designs: Traveler 17′ 5”, Traveler 18′ 6”, Monarch; Mad River Lamoille, Horizon.; Bell Canoe Works Northstar, Northwind, and Northwoods; Savage River Works Susquehanna; Lincoln Concord.

 

C-1 STOCK: Maximum length – 17’ 0”, Tumblehome not to exceed 3.5” per side. No minimum weight. The current C-1 Stock list includes GRB Newman Designs Classic and Classic XL; Wenonah Advantage, Prism, Encounter and Solitude; Sawyer Summer Song, DY Special and Shock Wave; Savage River’s Otegan (modified), Bell Magic, and Mad River’s Independence.

 

C-2 RECREATION: Maximum length: 17 feet, 6 inches. Weight: minimum of 55 pounds from the manufacturer. Race organizer discretion: If it looks like a racing canoe, it is not a recreational canoe. This is a competitive class, but any boats made specifically for racing are not allowed.

 

C-3 STOCK: Boats in this class must be specifically designed for a minimum of 3 adults.  Specs are based on the most readily available boats such as Wenonah’s Minnesota 3. Three paddlers in a C-4 may also enter this class. Specific hull measurements:

 

  • Maximum length of 23’ 1″, Minimum weight 55 pounds from the manufacturer.
  • The boat must be specifically built by the manufacturer to accommodate a minimum of 3 paddlers.
  • Minimum width at the center line, at the 4″ water line is 33″, at both the gunwales and  4″ waterline.
  • Minimum width at the 4″ waterline – 4 feet in from the bow is 16″, 4 feet in from the stern is 17″.
  • There is no concavity in the longitudinal axis of the hull (bow to stern) and no concavity in the cross section (side to side) below the 7″ waterline. There are minimal concave lines in the hull and no concave lines in the gunwales.
  • Minimum depths from the manufacturer: Bow = 20″, Center = 13½”, Stern = 17″.
  • No hard line transitions in the hull of the boat. Curve of chine must be equal to at least the radius of a softball.
  • Maximum tumblehome of 2″ per side.

 

C-4 STOCK: Boats must be designed by the manufacturer to accommodate 4 paddlers. Wenonah’s Minnesota 4 is built primarily for backcountry travel but performs admirably in a competitive event against similar craft. 

 

Boat hulls cannot be modified. Seat configurations can be redesigned to meet team needs. Bailers and spray skirts are allowed. Participants are required to use single bladed canoe paddles to power the craft. Rudders are not allowed. Specific hull measurements:

 

  • Maximum length of 23’ 1″, Minimum weight 55 pounds from the manufacturer.
  • The boat must be specifically built by the manufacturer to accommodate 4 paddlers.
  • Minimum width at the center line, at the 4″ water line is 33″, at both the gunwales and  4″ waterline.
  • Minimum width at the 4″ waterline – 4 feet in from the bow is 16″, 4 feet in from the stern is 17″.
  • There is no concavity in the longitudinal axis of the hull (bow to stern) and no concavity in the cross section (side to side) below the 7″ waterline. There are minimal concave lines in the hull and no concave lines in the gunwales.
  • Minimum depths from the manufacturer: Bow = 20″, Center = 13½”, Stern = 17″.
  • No hard line transitions in the hull of the boat. Curve of chine must be equal to at least the radius of a softball.
  • Maximum tumblehome of 2″ per side.

 

STANDARD VOYAGEUR CANOE: Minimum of 6 paddlers in a wooden canoe built to meet the following specifications: Maximum length 28’, Minimum width at gunwales and 6” waterline 39”, Minimum depth of 14”.

 

SOLO RECREATION: Any canoe or sea kayak of any material with a maximum length of 16’ 0” and a minimum width at the 4” waterline of 22”. Must use a double-bladed paddle. This is a competitive class.

 

TOURING KAYAK: Kayaks of any material with a maximum length of 20’ and a minimum width at the 4” waterline of 18”.  Surf Skis 20 feet or less and wider than 18 inches should enter this class. This is a competitive class.

 

SURF SKI: width narrower than 18 inches; length longer than 20 feet. Boat is a sit on top design with an open cockpit and no deck. This is a competitive class.

 

TWO-PERSON KAYAK: Two people in any kayak.

 

SUP: Any stand-up paddleboard

 

GUIDEBOAT:  

  • Length: 11 – 23 feet (15 to 17 standard)
  • Beam: 32 – 44 inches (Outside measurement: 34 to 38 inches is standard)
  • Bottom Board Outside Width: 4 – 10 inches.
  • Stem Height: 20  – 26 inches.
  • Depth Amidships: 11 – 13 inches.
  • Construction:  Traditional, Strip or mold construction; ribs may be laminated, hull may be wood, fiberglass, kevlar, or composite material, but must
  • conform to traditional guideboat shape and character in the opinion of the boat judge.
  • Oars: Solid wood oars, maximum 8 foot length, 5 1/2 inches wide.
  • Hardware: Brass, bronze, or steel pins with 1/2 inch diameter hole to accept pin; may be bushed if out of round.
  • Use of wheels: is permitted in the Guideboat Class.
  • Foot braces: may be used.
  • Seats: Must be fixed, no rolling seats are allowed.
  • Oars and Paddles: may be laminated.
  • Hardware: Brass, bronze, or aluminum pins.
  • Foot braces: must be secured to the boat. 

Unacceptable for the guideboat class:

  • Roller or sliding seats.
  • Roller, ball or needle bearings in hardware.
  • Outriggers.
  • Boats of design and or construction with pulled- in beams / ends.
  • Paddles and oars with cupped or spooned blades.

Comments or clarification questions can be addressed to [email protected]

 

AWARDS

Please join us on Pond Street between Rangeley Adventure Company and the Corner Bar & Kitchen for post event festivities. Plaques will be presented to the top three finishers in all competitive classes at an awards ceremony held following the conclusion of the race on Sunday afternoon. Awards will be given out as soon as final race results are available.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Regatta is brought to you by our generous sponsors and partners. If you’d like to support the ROAR, please contact Karrie Thomas at [email protected].

 

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
Rangeley Adventure Co.
The Rangeley Inn
Rangeley-Oquossoc Chamber of Commerce
Maine Sports Commission
Maine Lakes & Mountains Tourism Commission
Saddleback Mountain
Esquif

Lodging & Camping Options

The Rangeley Inn: Our partners and ROAR sponsors at The Rangeley Inn are offering a 15% discount to folks coming for ROAR/PaddleFest. Discount code is PADDLE.

 

Click here to visit their website and book your stay!

 

Rangeley Lakes Trails Center: The Trails Center is offering camping for ROAR participants. These options include primitive tent camping (no water, nor fires, pit toilets and RV parking (no hookups). Cost is $30/night and proceeds support the Trails Center.

Click here to learn more and book your site!

Camping Downtown Rangeley: Field camping is available on private property within walking distance of downtown.

No running water, no fires. $30 to benefit WRGY, Rangeley’s local radio station.

Contact Linda Dexter for more information: [email protected]