‘Round the Mountain Canoe & Kayak Race

Course Description & Logistics

Course description: The race course begins at Ampersand Bay Resort. Paddlers head west on Lower Saranac Lake to the mouth of the Saranac River across from Bluff Island. The course continues down river, with a short carry around the lower locks, then to Oseetah Lake and ending at Lake Flower. Race distance is approximately 10.5 miles. All racers must use the carry; a safety count team will be there taking boat numbers. The carry is a designated walk zone due to trail conditions.

 

Click here to view/download/print the ‘Round the Mountain Course Map.

 

Schedule & logistics: The first heat will start at 11 am at the Ampersand Bay Resort, located at the foot of Ampersand Ave on Lower Saranac Lake. Parking will be limited. We encourage you to do a pre-race car shuttle to the finish line at the Riverfont Park on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake. Race organizers will not provide transportation.

 

Registration: Entry fee is $30 per person. Northern Forest Canoe Trail Members receive a 15% discount if they register in advance. Permanent numbers for NYPRA members will be honored. Temporary numbers will be issued to non-NYPRA members. Click here to register.

 

PFDs: Every racer must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD). This PFD must be worn at all times. Failure to comply will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. Please note: Any coastguard approved inflatable PFD satisfies this requirement, ensuring that a PFD will not restrict performance.

 

Awards: Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each class. Results will be posted to the NFCT website immediately following the event.

 

Past results:

 

2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results

Boat Classes

Race class options are the same as for the 90-Miler. A race class must have a minimum of three boats to be competitive. We reserve the right to combine age and gender classes to create a competitive race class grouping.

 

OPEN TOURING: Non-competitive participant category for canoes, kayaks and guideboats. No unlimited kayaks or amateur class canoes suitable for the Open Racing categories are permitted in open touring. No age or gender divisions and no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-place awards will be given. You are in it to finish. Times will be kept. For the 90-Miler: This group of paddlers must make cut-off times each day. Participation plaques may be purchased. When registering, select the type of boat you will paddle in and select “Open Touring” as your age category.

 

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-1 OPEN RACING: One person in a solo racing boat. Specifications according to NYPRA (New York Paddle Racing Association) & USCA.

 

C-2 STOCK: Included in this class are hulls similar to the Jensen 18. There are 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-2 OPEN RACING: Included in this class are WENONAH SCR’S (Standard Class Racers); COMP cruisers; and 3 x 27’s. If it looks like a racing canoe, it is. Specifications according to NYPRA & USCA. These participants paddle regularly, frequently as training for races.

 

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-2 FAMILY: Paddlers must be related, with one paddler 16 years of age or younger. Recreation or Stock boats only.

 

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: In an effort to make the competition about the team of paddlers and not the boat, organizers have identified the most readily available boats to base class specifications upon. Boats must weigh a minimum of 55 pounds, and 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. Boats of similar design to the Minn 4 will be inspected and must be approved by the boat judge.

 

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.

 

C-4 OPEN RACING:

 

• Maximum length of 25’ 11”
• Minimum weight 50 pounds
• Boat must be built to accommodate 4 paddlers
• Minimum width at the widest point from gunwale to gunwale is 32”. No concavity along the length of the gunwale from bow to stern.
• Minimum depth: Bow = 17”, Center =12 ½”, Stern = 13 ½”.
• Paddlers must use canoe paddles.
• One of a kind boats are permitted.

 

For the 90-Miler, There will be one C-4 open racing class including men, women and mixed teams.

 

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”.

 

OPEN RACING VOYAGEUR CANOE: Minimum of 7 paddlers in a boat built to accommodate them – no restrictions!

 

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”. This is a competitive class.

 

UNLIMITED KAYAK: Any kayak over 20’ in length and / or less than 18” in width at the 4” waterline.

 

TWO-PERSON KAYAK: Two people in any kayak.

 

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].

 

Thank You to Our Partners

‘Round the Mountain Weekend is presented by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) in collaboration with local guides and outfitters, tourism agencies and initiatives and other area businesses. We thank our presenting sponsors, Ampersand Bay Resort and Explore Adirondack Frontier, as well as the following:

 

• Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters
• NRS
• Mac’s Canoe Livery and Outfitter
• Raquette River Outfitters
• St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
• Hornbeck Boats
• Placid Boatworks
• Guide ADK
• Hotel Saranac
• The Waterhole
• ROOST
• Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
• Celebrate Paddling ADK
• Gauthier’s Saranac Lake Inn

 

If you’re interested in becoming a RTM sponsor, email [email protected].

Places to Stay

Traveling from outside the region? We’ve got several lodging partners offering room deals!

 

Our partners and generous start line hosts at Ampersand Bay Resort are offering a special discount to racers. To inquire about special rates for ‘Round the Mountain Weekend, please email [email protected] or call (518)891-3001.

 

Our longtime partners at the Hotel Saranac offer a special discount to NFCT members; 20% off stays Sunday-Thursday, and 10% off Friday & Saturday. Click here to learn more.

 

New NFCT partners, Gauthier’s Saranac Lake Inn, have generously blocked over a dozen rooms at a discounted rate of $120 for ‘Round the Mountain bookings. Rooms must be booked by phone: call (518) 891-1950 to learn more!