WISCASSET — The Sheepscot River Race will start at noon Tuesday, July 4, in Newcastle, casual paddlers to hard-core kayak racers, are welcome to participate.
The six-mile canoe and kayak race starts at the U.S. Route 1 Sherman Lake rest area bridge and finishes at the recreational pier in Wiscasset Village. Race organizer Scott Shea, said “this is one of the most scenic race courses with 4 miles of moving water meandering through beautiful protected marshes and riverbanks,” according to a news release from Sheepscot River Race.
This Wiscasset-based race has been held for almost 30 years. What started as a recreational event, part of the Wiscasset Recreation’s summer programming, is now a qualifying race for the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization.
“It’s their rules which guide the race. Originally there were only a few competitive participants, but now it’s a professional race that includes recreational kayakers. The most competitive racers finish in about 42 minutes, while the more casual participants finish in about 1 1\2 hours,” said Shea according to the release.
At the end of the race in Wiscasset Harbor, awards and prizes from Seaspray Kayaking are given out. This year, race participants and visitors can enjoy a tent, music and a fired-up grill, tended by local community organizations from noon to 3 p.m. on Wiscasset’s recreational pier.
Registration to participate in the race is open and continues until shortly before the race begins. Cost is $12 in advance or $15 the day of the race.
For more information and registration application, visit www.mackro.org or www.seaspraykayaking.com. With advance notice, MaCKRO will provide kayaks and equipment to youths who want to take part.
The race is sponsored by Seaspray Kayaking in Freeport, and co-sponsored by the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Shea at info@seaspraykaying.com or 751-3450.
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