Canoe and Kayak race is coming, May 15!

The 2022 River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race T-shirt design, created by Tamara Denby.

Submitted by Sybil Kolon on behalf of the canoe/kayak race committee

Spring is here and Manchester’s 56th Annual River Raisin Canoe/Kayak race will be here before we know it: Sunday, May 15, starting at noon. Registration opens April 6 and we are encouraging everyone to register by May 2. A late fee of $5 per person will apply after that, including race-day registration at the starting line. See details below.

We are excited to announce the winner of our t-shirt design contest: Tamara Denby. She has a choice of receiving four of the t-shirts with her design or a $50 gift certificate to Over the Edge Sports Bar. This design really reflects the Manchester area. Even spectators will want their own! You can order t-shirts, $15 each, through the registration link below, even if you aren’t going to be in the race. You must order by May 2 to ensure you will receive it by May 15.

We will offer the same canoe and kayak classes as last year, including Competition Canoe, Single Canoe and Double Kayak. The Competition Canoe class is intended for the most competitive among you. We note that sometimes a different class has beat the time of Competition Canoe. If you think you and your partner are the best, think about entering the Competition Canoe class instead of Men, Women, Man-Woman or Teen Canoe class. The only requirement is that both paddlers be 13 or over.

Those who enter by May 2 will save $5 per person and will be assigned a launch time a few days ahead of time. You will be asked to arrive at the starting line a half-hour before your scheduled launch time. Those who register between May 3 – 15 will be launched at the end. This practice was adopted for the past two years during the pandemic. In combination with the drive-through sign-in process, the starting line is much more organized than in past years, when everyone showed up early.

The race is again being sponsored by the River Raisin Watershed Council and the Manchester Music Boosters. The beneficiary this year will be the Teacher’s School Fund, to be split evenly between the three Manchester Community Schools. Our usual group of volunteers are organizing the race and we rely on many others to help on race day, including the Boy Scouts, who will again be renting canoes. We can always use more volunteers. Please use the email address below if you are interested in volunteering.

You can register online with the link below or use the paper form that is available around town at the Sharon Valley Bicycle Shop, outside of Ollie’s Pizza & Grinders, or at Corrigan Oil (Wackers). You may also request a form at the email address below. Please read the rules, which are on the back of the paper form and on the online registration link. Paper forms can be returned by mail to the address on the form, or to the Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe during regular business hours.

Registration link (also order T-shirts here): manchester.revtrak.net/canoe-kayak-race/#/list. For questions, send an email to kcampbell@mcs.k12.mi.us or call (734) 330-0029.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.