The Kenduskeag was a great way for many paddlers to welcome in the spring season. So now what?

Well, there are plenty of other races held in Maine which are on the near horizon:

5/3 - Meduxnekeag River Race - (8 miles, Houlton)

And how about this one:

5/10 - 5/11 - Aroostook River 60 Mile Canoe & Kayak Race (60 miles, Ashland to Ft. Fairfield - can be completed in one or two days.)

For more information about all of these races and many other races held in Maine, please visit MaCKRO's race calendar.

Today is the first day of spring. Technically. And here are four races in Maine leading up to the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race on April 19.



Saturday, March 29 - St. George River Race (Searsmont) - 11am. Three miles of dead water, 1-mile rapids, 2-miles dead water and curves with one Class III drop. This race has Class II-III rapids + or - depending on the water level. Phone 338-4598.

Editor's Note 3/30/08: St. George River Race photos and video have been posted on the Village Soup website.

Saturday, April 5 - Passy River Race (Belfast) - 11am. Race starts at the Littlefield Farm, first mile is flat water with many curves. Course passes under a cement bridge to another mile of flat water followed by a short stretch of Class II rapids. A 2-mile stretch of flat water to the Rolerson’s bridge, then Class I, II and III whitewater for a mile and a half, leading to a flat-water stretch to the finish. Phone 338-4598.

NOTE: for the St. George River Race, organizer Dale Cross provided this additional information:

- The St. George River is ready to be run and at a very safe level as of Tuesday, March 18.
- Free hats available to all who register.
- Free DVDs of the race to all who register
- Local cable broadcast (16,000 homes) of the race in the days and weeks following the race
- Special awards / classes for high school / college paddlers and for newcomer paddlers

And for the Passy River Race, Dale provided this additional information:

- Free longsleeve t-shirts available to all who register.
- Free DVDs of the race to all who register
- Free lunch following the race for all who register
- Local cable broadcast (16,000 homes) of the race in the days and weeks following the race
- Special awards / classes for high school / college paddlers and for newcomer paddlers

Saturday, April 12 - Souadabscook Stream Canoe Sprint/Race (Hampden)
9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-4521.

Sunday, April 13 - Marsh Stream Sprint and Race (Frankfort - Winterport Snowmobile Club) 9am (sprint), 12pm (race).
Phone 234-2510.

* * * * *

While we still have to get through iceout, here are a few upcoming races to keep in mind if you'd like a "primer" before the Kenduskeag:

3/31/07 (Saturday) - St. George River Race (Searsmont) - 11am.
Phone 338-4598.

4/07/07 (Saturday) - Passagassawakeag River Race (Belfast) - 11am.
Phone 338-4598.

4/14/07 (Saturday) - Souadabscook Stream Canoe Sprint/Race (Hampden) - 9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-4521.

4/15/07 (Sunday) - Marsh Stream Sprint and Race (Frankfort - Winterport Snowmobile Club) - 9am (sprint), 12pm (race). Phone 234-2510.

Check out the Bangor Daily News interview with race organizer Dale Cross (3/20/07). These races are going to be a lot of fun!

The Souadabscook Sprint & Canoe Race was held as planned this weekend in Hampden, ME. Nice to see that it wasn't cancelled.

Here's a news story about the race from the Bangor Daily News.

Congratulations to Jeff Sands!

Last but not least, here's a link to my 2006 Sou photo galleries.

Unfortunately, both the St. George and Passy River races have been cancelled due to low water levels. Both races were tentatively scheduled for this weekend (April 1st & 2nd). No word on the status of races scheduled in the near future; it's still too early to tell. Stay tuned - I'll post updates as they become available.

Here's more from the Bangor Daily News.