Canoe drop off/shuttle information

You can drop off your canoes/boats at James Madison Park Friday night from 4-6 pm. We will have have overnight security to ensure boat safety.

Or you can drop off your canoes/boats at James Madison Park on the morning of the race, starting at 7 am.

Parking is available at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue) where the race ends. Then you can take a free shuttle to James Madison Park to start the race.

Pre-race announcements will take place at 8:30 am. The race begins at 9 am.

Solo Canoe Participant Information

Those participating solo in a canoe have the following wave start options to choose from upon registering:

Solo Canoe Elite Racing Wave – This open, racing wave is for advanced racers.

Solo Canoe Non-Elite Race Wave – This class is for recreational racers looking to medal. This category is not for extremely competitive or elite racers. Those participants should sign up for the Solo Canoe Elite Racing Wave.

Mass Start – This open wave is for those looking to have fun and enjoy any quirky twists that may be thrown at them. This wave is not a Racing Wave and will not receive medals. **The mass start boats MUST obey traffic signals during the portage portion**

Canoe Team Participant Information

Those participating in a canoe as a team of two have the following start/wave options to choose from upon registering:

Canoe Team Elite Racing Wave – This open, racing wave is for advanced racers.

Racing Groups by Age:

BOATS 18FT AND UNDER – This class is for recreational racers separated into age groups. This category is not for extremely competitive or elite racers. Those participants should sign up for the Elite Racing Wave. Racers will placed into one of the following categories based on the participants combined ages: Men’s Combined ages 100+ Men’s Combined ages 80-99 Men’s Combined ages 60-79 Men’s Combined ages 0-59 Co-ed Combined ages 80+ Co-ed Combined ages 60-79 Co-ed Combined ages 0-59 Women’s Combined ages 60+ Women’s Combined ages 0-59 Adult and Child (15 and under)

Mass Start – This open wave is for those looking to have fun and enjoy any quirky twists that may be thrown at them. This wave is not a Racing Wave and will not receive medals.

Elite Oversized Boat Class – ALL BOATS OVER 18FT – The Oversized Boat Class is only for ALL BOATS OVER 18 FEET regardless of sex or age of paddlers. If your boat is over 18FT, you must register for this category. Any boats over 18 feet in another category will be disqualified.

Elite Aluminum Class – BOATS 18FT AND UNDER – This class is for any participants who are competing the race with an aluminum canoe regardless of sex or age of paddlers.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Participant Information

Elite Racers must portage their own board. If you are in the SUP Racing Group by Age Wave or Mass Start Wave, you may bring a friend, strap, wheels or anything necessary to assist you with the portage. The goal is to have fun and not have the portage be a deterrent.

If you show up to the race with a different length board then specified during registration, you will be disqualified.

Those participating on a SUP have the following start/wave options to choose from upon registering:

Elite SUP Racing Wave – This open, racing wave is for advanced racers. Medals will be awarded in the following categories: Elite Men Any Size Board Elite Women Any Size Board

SUP Mass Start – This open wave is for those looking to have fun and enjoy any quirky twists that may be thrown at them. This wave is not a Racing Wave and will not receive medals.

Kayak Participant Information

Those participating in a kayak have the following start/wave options to choose from upon registering:

Kayak Elite Racing Wave – This open, racing wave is for advanced racers.

Kayak Non-Elite Race Wave – This class is for recreational racers looking to medal. This category is not for extremely competitive or elite racers. Those participants should sign up for the Kayak Elite Racing Wave.

Mass Start – This open wave is for those looking to have fun and enjoy any quirky twists that may be thrown at them. This wave is not a Racing Wave and will not receive medals.

Canoe Rental Information

Canoe rentals from WI River Outings include:

Wenonah Canoe Royalex Adirondack- 16’ long, 36” wide, 60 lbs, flat, stable bottom, comfortable nylon web seats

16’ long, 36” wide, 60 lbs, flat, stable bottom, comfortable nylon web seats 2 Adult 3-Buckle Life Vests

2 Paddles

Please note: if you need a vest for someone under 70 lbs, bring your own US Coast Guard approved vest.

Boats are designed to hold 2 participants only. No exceptions.

Canoes may be rented during the registration process. Paddlers with rentals will receive a coupon in their bib packet to redeem for their canoe the morning of the race. Canoes are first come, first served. To ensure availability, we recommend reserving your canoe prior to race day.

Additional Canoe, Kayak, & SUP Rental Options

Rutabaga Paddle Sports, 1-800-I-PADDLE (800-472-3353)

Rules

Wisconsin Life Jacket Laws Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn by all competitors in the manner with which they were designed at all times the watercraft is in the water. Paddle & Portage participants must obey safety and traffic directions of race officials and police throughout the race. U.S. Canoe Association rules do not apply. No more than 2 people per canoe allowed Double-bladed paddles are allowed for kayakers only. (No exceptions) Inappropriately discarding gear or trash along the course will be grounds for immediate disqualification. All racers must complete the race within 1 hour 45 minutes to be counted in the official results.



Portage Specific Rules

All elite racers must portage their own canoe, kayak or SUP. All canoe racing teams (elite and non-elite) must portage their own boats. Non-elite solo racers may use wheels to assist their portage. The goal is to have fun and not have the portage be a deterrent. All paddlers in the Mass Start can use assistance for the portage. You may bring a friend, strap, wheels or anything necessary to assist you with the portage. Again, the goal is to have fun and not have the portage be a deterrent. **The mass start boats MUST obey traffic signals during the portage portion**



Costume Contest

Paddlers are encouraged to dress up for our annual Paddle & Portage costume contest. Winners will receive entries in to future Isthmus events.