Paddling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in two upcoming races, part of the month-long Celebrate Paddling ADK festival: the Tupper Lake 8-Miler and the Celebrate Paddling Invitational.
The Tupper Lake 8-miler will take place Saturday, June 25, with registration and check-in taking place 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the start time at 11 a.m. The race begins at the Town of Tupper Lake Boat Launch on Lake Simon Road, off New York State Route 30 — paddlers then head to the Route 30 bridge, up the Raquette River to the Oxbow, and then back to the boat launch. This is a New York Paddlesports Racing Association points race for canoes and kayaks; there will also be classes for stand-up paddle boards.
Entry fee is $35, with t-shirts going to the first 50 registrants; all proceeds will be donated to Adirondack Health Foundation’s Heart Health Initiative. There will also be awards and a post-race barbeque.
To register, visit 8miler.com. For race questions, contact Roger Gocking at [email protected] or (518) 354-8377.
The Celebrate Paddling Invitational is the culmination of Celebrate Paddling month in the Adirondacks, held this year on Sunday, June 26, at Riverfront Park in downtown Saranac Lake. This family-friendly paddling event has something for everyone, including races for all ages and abilities, boat demos from local Adirondack outfitters and information from boat builders — there’s also a chance to buy or sell your used boat or paddling gear.
Registration and check-in for all races runs from 8 to 9 a.m. Racers are strongly encouraged to register online prior to June 26.
The Celebrate Paddling Invitational includes the following race categories — all skill levels are invited to participate:
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St. Regis Canoe Outfitters Kids Race
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Cost: Free
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Start: 10 a.m.
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Distance: 0.5 miles
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Ages: 8-12 and 12-15
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Boat types: Solo recreation, solo kayak, tandem recreation, tandem kayak, SUP
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Mac’s Canoe Livery War Canoe Race — join a war canoe team – boats will be provided.
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Cost: Free for those signed up for another event; $10 per participant for war canoe race only.
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Start time: 10:30 a.m.
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Distance: 0.5 miles
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Route: Triangle course on Lake Flower
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Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters Family Race
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Cost: $25 per boat
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Start: 11:15 a.m.
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Distance: 3 miles
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Route: Course will be set around Lake Flower
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Raquette River Outfitters 3-Miler
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Cost: $25 per paddler
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Start time: 11:15 a.m. (or immediately after 10-miler waves are released)
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Distance: 3 miles
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Route: Course will be set around Lake Flower
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Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 10-miler
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Cost: $30 per paddler
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Start: 11 a.m., pre-registration required
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Distance: 10 miles
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Route: Start and finish on Lake Flower. Follow shoreline marked by buoys, out the channel to Oseetah Lake, watch for course markers and safety boats, circle round the buoy near Lower Locks, return to Lake Flower paddling the south side of the lake to buoy turn near dam, finish at the cedar tree in Riverfront Park.
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To register and for more information, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org/
Celebrate Paddling is a collaborative event sponsored by St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, Raquette River Outfitters, Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters and Mac’s Canoe Livery. Celebrate Paddling also receives support from the NFCT, with financial support from Adirondack Frontier’s Destination Event Sponsorship Program and additional support from the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.
For more information about the Celebrate Paddling Invitational, email karrie@
For a complete schedule of Celebrate Paddling events, visit celebratepaddlingadk.com/
