Youth Lake Race

Our 7th Youth Lake Race 

Sunday August 4th , 2024.

Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Race starts at 11:00 a.m. 

 The Youth Race will start from Carol Edmunds dock - she is next door to where Wendy lived.  There will be balloons on the dock to help identify it.  Wendy’s dock at the north end of the second bay where the narrows start - see below for more info 

 

SDLCA is pleased to announce a fun race to introduce the idea of racing to our

youth aged 6 to 12.

 

The SDLCA Youth Race; The Launch of a New Generation

 

 

Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Race starts at 11:00 a.m. 

The race start/finish and dock registration is at Carol Edmunds dock - she is next door to where Wendy lived.  There will be balloons on the dock to help identify it.  Wendy’s dock at the north end of the second bay where the narrows start - see below for more info 

https://goo.gl/maps/tDTdeN6Bmt5ytmhE6

 

Cost is $5.00 per craft. Categories will be age group.

 

The first to cross under the finish rope for each category is the Winner. Fun, Fun, Fun for all! We look forward to seeing the parents line the course to cheer on the children.  

COURSE:  See map below

 

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS:

  • course will be well supervised
  • this event is meant to be a FUN event to introduce the idea of racing
  • all parents may line the course to CHEER on the children

 

REGISTRATION

  • 10:30 a.m. on race day at the starting point
  • Cost is $5 per craft and entrants must be members or affiliated with a member.  
  • Each person must wear a PFD and sign a disclaimer for insurance purposes
  • Each boat should have a 15 M. buoyant line and a sound making device
  • Starting race official to settle category conflicts
  • Placement into the following categories by the race officials

CATEGORIES  (change yearly based on popular demand)

  • Kayak occupied by one or more individuals
  • Canoe occupied by one or more individuals

STARTING·        

  • 11:00 a.m. 
  • A 15 second warning will be given before starting THEN: 5-4-3-2-1 GO (launch boat) ON THE COURSE
  • When two boats meet the faster boat has the right of way. DO NOT block passage or create unnecessary hazards.

FINISH

  • A rope will be tied across the finish line. 
  • The winning group will be the first boat to cross under the finish rope.

 

PRIZES

  • The winner in each category will receive a Mini Paddle.
  • The top 3 teams in each category will receive a medal.
  • Each participant will receive an official crest.

The SDLCA Youth Race; The Launch of a New Generation.

 

 

Three years ago former SDLCA Executive member Keith Cowan had an idea that he was passionate about - probably because he had grandchildren of the right age. He wanted a way that younger kids could participate in our Annual Canoe Race. That year, 2014, the Irondale River was impassible due to large log jams caused by the extreme flooding of the previous year. The decision was made on quite short notice, that for reasons of safety, we would stage the race on the lake for the first time in decades.

 

In years past, those 15 years of age and younger paddled the same distance on the river as the adults - but it was a daunting task for inexperienced paddlers so there weren’t too many entrants and few novices. Keith’s idea was to create a smaller event for the kids, with shorter distances to paddle. Year One saw about half a dozen entries, a good start. Last year, Rob Stimers (a dad with of-age kids too) staged the race with assistance from Wendy Idiens who volunteered her shoreline as the start and finish line. It was a rousing success with more than 20 kids entering. This year Rob has adjusted the distances to reflect the fact that the young entrants handled the race with some ease. The course will now run around the island.

 

To make things even more exciting, Rob Brown, our Lake Steward has created mini-paddles as awards for the winners of the various events. 

 

All in all, the Executive is very pleased to see the Youth Race gain momentum. We want these young people to feel, indeed to know that they are the future stewards of Salerno Lake. They will build friendships, memories and connections to this lake and eventually assume the kind of roles that we have, in trying to enhance and protect this natural treasure.

 

So recruit your youngsters and/or your grandchildren. Let them enjoy and share the excitement of their own Youth Canoe Race. In only a few years, they will want to be part of the main event.


Paddle on!
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