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Kiwanis Club to Launch 48th Annual River Raisin Canoe and Kayak Race

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by Cindy Kenney of Kiwanis of Manchester

Canoe pictures paper

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

The 48th annual River Raisin Canoe and Kayak Race, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, is set for Sunday May 18th.  This eleven class race begins at noon at the Fellows Bridge on Sharon Valley Road and ends at the bridge in the Village of Manchester.   Race categories include teen, man and woman team, 2-woman team, 2-man team, adult child, single canoe, 1 man kayak, 1 woman kayak, competitive class, corporate challenge, and sprint.  Trophies are awarded for first, second and third place winner in each category with the exception of the Corporate Challenger where the winner will receive a traveling trophy.

Early registration is encouraged by Thursday May 15th at a cost of $13.00 per participant for each race they will be competing in.  Race day registration begins at 10:00 a.m. at the launch site at a cost of $15.00 per person.  Children aged 5-12 may compete in the adult child class for free.   The Sprint Race is held at the Mill Pond once all classes have completed the Canoe Race at a cost of $5.00 per participant.

A limited number of canoes and kayaks will be available for rent at a cost of $35.00 each and pre-registration for these rentals is strongly recommended.  Area Boy Scout troops provide the rental canoes and assist with removing the canoes at the docking site upon completion of the race.

Area volunteers, led by Jim Mann, will be gathering on May 3 to clear the river of winter debris for the race.  Other volunteers play an important role in making this annual race a success.  Chelsea Ham Radio Club volunteers act as spotters and communicate start times from the launch site to the timekeepers at the end of the race.   Area businesses and merchants provide sponsorship dollars for the various class trophies.

“While this race is a Kiwanis sponsored event, we couldn’t make it happen without the help of community volunteers,” says Kiwanis Canoe Race Chair Patti McCabe.  “The Kiwanis Canoe Race is an example of why the Village of Manchester is so unique.  We all pull together to make things happen.”

Manchester Kiwanis Club is also selling raffle tickets for a 10.0 Perception Prodigy Kayak complete with paddles at a cost of $10.00 per ticket.  The drawing for the kayak will be held upon completion of the Sprint Race.  The kayak will be on display at the Coffee Mill Café in Manchester.

Class winners will be announced once all competitors in a given class have completed the course.  Once the winners are announced trophies will be awarded.

All proceeds from the Canoe Race and the raffle at invested back into the community by the Kiwanis Club of Manchester.

Entry forms and raffle tickets are available at the Coffee Mill Café, from Kiwanis members or can be requested via email at luckylu1954@gmail.com.

For additional information please contact Canoe Chair Patti McCabe at 734-645-9722.

Canoe pictures paper

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis

 

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