Sunday, August 2, 2026
Registration: 10:30 a.m. | Race Starts: 11:00 a.m.
SDLCA is excited to host our annual Youth Lake Race — a fun, friendly competition designed to introduce racing to kids aged 6 to 12. This is a safe, family-friendly event designed to celebrate community, introduce kids to racing, and have FUN on the lake! Parents are encouraged to line the course and cheer loudly.
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🕥 Registration: 10:30 a.m. | Race Starts: 11:00 a.m.
📍 Start/Finish: See the Map. Look for balloons ☀️ Rain or Shine! 💲Funds are not refundable if you cannot attend on race day All Race Participants must be SDLCA members or affiliated with a current member whose dues are paid for the year. Not a member yet? CLICK HERE to purchase your annual SDLCA Membership online before buying your Event Tickets. Cost:
Registration:
Requirements:
🏁 Race Details:
🏆 Prizes:
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Race Location
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Little Paddlers, Big Splash: The Youth Canoe Race Story
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 impassable due to large logjams caused by the previous year's extreme flooding. The decision was made on quite short notice that, for safety reasons, 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 signing up. 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 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!
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 signing up. 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 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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