The American Canoe Association (ACA) hosts two contests June 6 in Fredericksburg.
Their 35th Annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race and the Canoe Poling Nationals this year are part of the inaugural Rock the River FXBG event. This all-day, stewardship-focused festival features environmental educational programs from local conservation organizations, on-water paddling instruction, river clean-ups, a running race, ultimate Frisbee, and a riverfront beer and blues festival.
35th Annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race
The 35th Annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. Races are open to participants of all ages, and include both whitewater and flat water canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), and canoe poling. There will be specific races for youth and Scouts.
Registration is available online and at Old Mill Park beginning at 7:45 a.m. on race day, June 6, 2015.
Proceeds from event support Friends of the Rappahannock, the ACA Collegiate Racing Program, the Fredericksburg Fire Department’s River Rescue Team, and the Fredericksburg Chapter of Team River Runner.
ACA Canoe Poling National Championships
Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock River are the site of the 2015 ACA Canoe Poling National Championships. The competition will have slalom and wild water events in classes from beginner to advanced. Competitors will travel from as far away as Maine and Texas to participate, organizers said.
Races will be held Saturday, June 6, with practice and free skills clinics on Friday afternoon, June 5.
Canoe poling, which was recognized as a competitive sport by the ACA in 1965, has a long and colorful history. Early man used saplings to propel dugouts up and down streams long before the paddle was invented, and voyageurs used wooden poles to help them navigate wilderness rivers before there were any roads. This paddlesport discipline combines both the history of the sport with highly skilled competitors.
Race Schedule
7:30 a.m. – On-site registration and bib pick-up begin at Old Mill Park, 2410 Caroline St., Fredericksburg.
8:45 a.m. – Downriver racer meeting at the Motts Run Resevoir put-in, 6600 River Rd., Fredericksburg.
9 a.m. – Downriver race begins.
10:30 a.m. – SUP bib pick up and on-site registration begin at Old Mill Park, 2410 Caroline St., Fredericksburg.
11 a.m. – Last downriver boat starts from Motts Run. Big SUP One Design Challenge begins at Old Mill Park.
12 p.m. – Canoe Poling National Championships begin at the Virginia Outdoor Center beach.
12:30 p.m. – SUP racer meeting for Whitewater Sprint begins at the Virginia Outdoor Center beach.
1 p.m. – Canoe & Kayak Sprint Race starts at the Virginia Outdoor Center beach.
2 p.m. – Last Canoe/Kayak Sprint starts at the Virginia Outdoor Center beach.
2:15 p.m. – SUP Whitewater Head to Head Race begins at the Virginia Outdoor Center beach.
2:30 p.m. – Scout Challenge tandem canoe race at Old Mill Park.
3 p.m. – Flatwater one mile SUP race begins at Old Mill Park.
4 p.m. – Free youth flatwater race with any canoe, kayak or SUP begins at Old Mill Park.
5 p.m. – Awards Ceremony at Old Mill Park.
For more information, see:
Rock the River FXBG 2015
American Canoe Association
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