Let’s Canoe/Kayak: Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race (or Recreational Paddle)

Let’s Canoe/Kayak: Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race (or Recreational Paddle)

(Rentals are available)

Important: When you register put under "Friend Request": "Chicago Hikers". Also put St. Charles to Aurora for the race. If you don't, you will not be starting with the rest of the group.

Register online (http://foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/node/1654) Download/Print a Registration Form (http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/files/u14/Canoe_Race_Entry2013_0.pdf) Race divisions (http://foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/node/554?q=node/560) Printable map (http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/files/u11/st_charles_guide_11.pdf)

The historic Mid-Am hits the Fox River on June 2, 2013, for its 52nd running, combining long-lived tradition with several new features. This is an amateur canoe race for paddlers of all ages and abilities, featuring 11 canoe divisions, 8 kayak divisions and 1 open (non-competitive) division (http://foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/node/560). First- through third-place awards will be given to the winners in each division for both races.

Race Highlights

Canoe and Kayak rental discount packages (if a rental is needed) Free shuttle service between the start and finish lines - school bus and vans T-shirt, goodie bag and lunch included Party in the Park - featuring K-Hits 104.3 FM and riverside awards ceremony following race. Race Details

St. Charles start line

Begins at Mount St. Mary Park (Route 31) Heats of 10 launch every four minutes starting at 9 a.m. Three portages (Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora) Distance: 10 miles.
Approximate race time 1 1/2 to 3 hours Register online (http://foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/node/1654) Download/Print a Registration Form (http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/files/u14/Canoe_Race_Entry2013_0.pdf) Race divisions (http://foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/node/554?q=node/560) Printable map (http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/files/u11/st_charles_guide_11.pdf) Boat Rentals Available

No boat? No problem! Canoes and kayaks are available at a discounted package price that can be included with your registration. Boat choices are available on the registration form.

Cost:

Adult Paddler: $25 (Single Kayak, etc.)

Adult Team: $50 (Canoe, Tandem Kayak, etc.)

Paddler under 16: $15

Kayak Rental: $55 (includes race registration and boat rental)

Canoe Rental: $95 (includes race registration and boat rental, 2 per canoe)

Pre-Race Packet Pickup

Paddlers who have pre-registered can pick up their T-shirt, goodie bag, wrist band and boat sticker at the Prisco Community Center (150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora) during the following times:

Friday, May 31: 5 to 8 p.m. Sat., June 1: 9 to 11 a.m. Shuttle Information

Paddlers are advised to arrive at their start area at least 1 hour prior to launch time. Four shuttle buses will be running from 7:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m. Drop your boat at the start area (Mt. St. Mary Park/St. Charles). A secured “Canoe Corral” is available at the site. Drive to finish area at McCullough Park (Route 31 and Illinois Avenue in Aurora). Participant parking is available in the Prisco Center lot. Enjoy a free shuttle bus ride back to your starting area. Race Divisions

CANOES
2 paddlers per boat

Junior Boys, Girls or Mixed: Any canoe type; both paddlers must be 17 or younger
Adult/Youth: Any canoe type; adult must be 30 or older; youth must be 17 or younger
Women’s Competitive: 18 years and older; maximum boat length 18-6
Men’s Competitive: 18 years and older; maximum boat length 18-6
Women's Masters: 40 years and up; maximum boat length 18-6
Men's Masters: 40 years and up; maximum boat length 18-6
Century: Two paddlers, combined age 100 or more
Mixed Couple: Man-and-woman team, any age
Recreation: All ages; any canoe type
Unlimited: Any racing boat outside specifications of other classes, including ICF boats
Single Paddler – One paddler, single-blade paddle, no Olympic specs

KAYAKS
1 paddler per boat (except tandem)

Women’s Short: Any kayak up to 15 feet; no downriver or racing kayaks
Men’s Short: Any kayak up to 15 feet; no downriver or racing kayaks
Women's Masters Short: 40 years and up; any kayak up to 15 feet; no downriver or racing kayaks
Men's Masters Short: 40 years and up; any kayak up to 15 feet; no downriver or racing kayaks
Women’s Long: Any sea kayak up to 18 feet, excluding ICF kayaks, ICF trainers and surf skis
Men’s Long: Any sea kayak up to 18 feet, excluding ICF kayaks, ICF trainers and surf skis
Tandem: All ages; any tandem paddler kayak
Unlimited: Any single-paddler kayak, including ICF kayaks, ICF trainers, surf skis and USCA specified downriver kayaks

Open (non-competitive) Division
No trophy awarded; unlimited number of participants per canoe. Any seaworthy, paddle-powered canoe or kayak may enter. Inflatable boats must be at least 6 feet in length and commercialy built. T-shirts and refreshments are limited to two paddlers per canoe.
Need Assistance on a portage? Open division paddlers will be allowed assistance on portages, if requested. Staff and volunteers will be available at Geneva, Batavia and North Aurora dams to lend a helping hand for those who would like it. All other divisions are not eligible for assistance.

I hope you can make. It will be a fun day.

Kevin