Canoe Races

10.5 - mile flat-water race starts at Ampersand Bay Resort on Lower Saranac Lake. Paddlers go up the lake to Bluff

Island, turn into mouth of Saranac River, down river to a short carry around Lower Locks. Through Oseetah Lake to

finish line on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake. Pre race shuttle recommended. First Start 11: AM

This is a great solo, family and novice event. It starts at the Route 30 Fishing access site “The Crusher”. Paddlers go down the Raquette River to the Tupper Lake Rod & Gun Club on Simond Pond. This race will again be held in conjunction with the No Octane Regatta held on Little Wolf Pond in Tupper Lake. First Start 10: AM

Sundowner Series Paddle Clinic and Time Trial – Upper Saranac Lake

Tuesdays, June 10 & 24, July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19 6:00 PM

MAC’S Canoe Livery hosts a series of paddling clinics and time trials on Upper Saranac Lake. This summer will feature an additional two clinics and time trials. The two new dates are in June and will allow paddlers to get an early start on the season as they prepare for the longer races held later in the summer & fall. The 6-mile time trials also work as a great tune-up for paddlers looking to introduce themselves to the sport. The time trials are followed by burgers and beverages at MAC’S Canoe Livery. Adirondack Watershed Alliance members free, others pay $10.

30- Mile flat water race on a beautiful course starts at the Saranac Inn on Upper Saranac Lake, goes south the length of the lake to Indian Carry (1 mile) to Stoney Creek Ponds. Down twisty Stoney Creek, right onto Raquette River down to Tupper Lake Rod & Gun Club on Simon Pond. 2 water and snack pit stops. First Start 9: AM

Travel the original "highways" of the Adirondacks from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. A 90 - mile paddle through the heart of the Adirondack mountain wilderness. We offer friendly competition and genuinely warm Adirondack hospitality. Mix of lake and river flat water paddling with several carries. Included with entry fee: T-shirt, snack and water pit stops during the race, mileage pins, awards, camping, boat shuttle, post race meal and smiling volunteers.

Entry forms go out via US Mail in mid June. Event is limited to 250 canoes. Entry deadline is July 25, 2008.

September 27 Saturday: Long Lake Long Boat Regatta

Feature event – The North American War Canoe Championships – 20-mile Flatwater race on Long Lake. Other events include C-4 Marathon, Unlimited kayak competition, canoe, kayak, guideboat, outrigger races for youth and adults. All races begin and end at the beach across from the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake. First Start 10: AM

The AWA is a cooperative membership organization developed to promote and organize water related events and activities; develop a stewardship network to enhance recreational opportunities and provide outdoor employment opportunities. We participate in everything that has to do with paddling in the Adirondacks! Please consider supporting us through your participation at our events, membership or a contribution to our stewardship fund. For more information see the AWA pages on www.macscanoe.com

Some people just can not resist a challenge! This year 43 paddlers completed more than 200-miles of racing in New York State and nine completed more than 400 miles, gaining them recognition of their achievement and membership to an elite club. The emphasis is on paddler participation and checking out races across New York State, though some of our 400 mile paddlers went as far as the Yukon to earn their second 200 miles and register over 400 miles in the competitive seat!

Of particular interest and significant pride to club organizers - The youngest club member is 10 year old Amelia McDonnell who paddled with her Mom, Grace in numerous races including the 90 Miler to earn her first 200 mile club T- shirt.

There are just a few simple rules to qualify for the clubs: 1) all races are from a single paddling season. 2) At least 200 miles must be from New York State Races. 3) You must finish the race for it to count. 4) You must fill out an application available on macscanoe.com. These paddlers spend a lot of time in the seat, represent the best our sport has to offer, and collectively encourage greater participation in paddle sport.

MAC’S Canoe Livery, NYMCRA, Wenonah Canoes, Duofold T- Shirts and Blue Line Sports sponsored the 2007 200 and 400 mile clubs. Sponsorship information, questions or suggestions should be directed to Brian McDonnell at 518 891 2744.

It sure is nice to have your efforts at organizing and promoting healthy, environmentally friendly activities recognized by companies and organizations with their advertising contributions. Some provide cash, others products, all get the maximum exposure we can offer to the paddlers, volunteers and spectators at our events. We continue to be impressed at how savvy participants are in supporting the businesses that support us. Several of our advertisers can pin point a direct correlation between our events and their business because paddlers have either identified themselves as participants or thanked the business person for supporting the canoe and kayak races. For your part, we thank you!

Of course we could not pull off our events without the dedication and commitment of our incredible cadre of supportive volunteers or the resources of The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

WENONAH Canoes, Current Designs Kayaks, Campmor, Capital District Physicians Health Care Plan (CDPHP), The Central Adirondack Association, Long Lake Recreation, Franklin County Tourism, Grand Union Grocery Stores, Adirondack Bank, Placid Boatworks, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, Marc Gillespie and Forge Racing Videos, Old Forge Camping Resort, GRB – Newman Designs Canoes and Paddles, The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, The Blue Moon Café, Hyde Fuel Nice n Easy Grocery Shoppes, J&J Canoes and Supplies, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, ZRE Paddles, Darrah Cooper Jewelers, Adirondack Life, Savage River, Mississippi Kayaks, Community Bank, The Kickerville Station, The Trading Post, Woods Inn, and Frisky Otter Tours, Mark Kurtz Photography, and MAC’S Canoe Livery. Lodging advertisers included in Saranac Lake: Gauthier’s Saranac Lake Motor Inn, The Best Western Mountain Lakes Inn, Adirondack Motel and Sunday Pond Bed and Breakfast. In Tupper Lake: Shaheen’s Motel and Northwoods Cabins. In Long Lake: The Adirondack Hotel. In Old Forge: Christy’s Motel.

· The AWA has a limited number of T-shirts from previous Adirondack Canoe Races All shirts are $12 each and include shipping. For specifics give us a call or stop buy. Buy any 3 shirts get 1free!

· 90 Miler Posters. A fantastic collage from the 2004 Adirondack Canoe Classic. $12 per poster includes shipping - buy 3 get one free!

· We have a couple more copies of the 2005 90 Miler DVD for sale. $44 includes shipping.

The AWA is hosted physically and on the web by MAC’S Canoe Livery in Lake Clear. You can check out upcoming events, current class specifications and race results on the AWA pages. You can also check out macscanoe.com for a list of new and used canoes, GRB paddles and other accessories available for sale at MAC’S Canoe Livery in Lake Clear. Mac says “try it before you buy it.”

For the third consecutive year, the membership of the New York Marathon Canoe Race Association (NYMCRA) has voted the Adirondack Canoe Classic the “Race of the Year.” The honor was especially appreciated this year because the race celebrated its 25^th year. Many NYMCRA members participate in the 90 Miler every year. Paddlers sited race organization, business and community support, the strong feeling of history and camaraderie among the 500 participants in the three day paddling extravaganza, the significant volunteer and DEC safety boat presence on the course, and the beauty and splendor of the route as they make their way across the original Adirondack “highways” the lakes, rivers and portages that connect the communities along the route.

The Adirondack Watershed Alliance was formed to attempt to assure that the Adirondack Canoe Classic, and the other events we organize, maintains the strong community character and the incredible level of involvement we generate from the people, businesses, spectators, participants and their families.

Thank you to the membership of NYMCRA for this honor. It validates our consistent effort to provide a positively memorable experience to all who chose to participate in our events.

For nearly a decade, Rusty Knobel has participated in the 90-Miler as a pit crew member and a volunteer. He has watched from the side lines as friends and family have participated in the event. You may recognize Rusty as the big guy who passed you a Reeses Cup at the Brown’s Tract Carry, or the guy who moved your boat at the end of each day, or shuttled you from the finish line back to the start, or picked up after all of the boats were gone. He has become an integral part of the success of the Adirondack Canoe Race Series support crew. In 2006 he watched with pride as his daughter Mackenzie paddled and finished the event in her solo canoe, and he let slip a deeply held wish, he wanted with all his significant might to participate in and finish the Adirondack Canoe Classic – Just once!

Rusty, who had not been in a canoe in several years, worked diligently losing weight, exercising, paddling, gathering the right equipment and capitalizing on all of the resources available to him to turn his wish into a reality. His goal was not to win, (though he would have laid it all out there for his partner!) Rather he was in it to make all of the cut offs and earn the pin of a 90-Mile finisher. It was not hard to pick a partner to paddle tandem in his Minnesota II. He knew he wanted to share the experience with his daughter Mackenzie. What father would not welcome the opportunity? The pair paddled in the open touring class and completed the course each day, earning Rusty the 90-Miler pin he coveted, and Mackenzie her 360.

Every member of the crew was pulling for Rusty and MacKenzie every stroke of every day. In many ways, with every stroke, Rusty was pulling for all of us who stand on the sidelines. We are incredibly proud of Rusty and Mackenzie for their fortitude and success. MacKenzie will continue to paddle with partners and solo, but don’t expect to see Rusty out there paddling in this year’s event. He’ll be returning to the sidelines as one of the valuable volunteers, only now he is the beaming wearer of a pin that distinguishes him as a person who has done it!

The Adirondack Loon Census – St Regis Canoe Area

We will again coordinate the Adirondack Loon Census in the St. Regis Canoe Area for the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Project from 8 – 9 AM on Saturday July 19, 2008. We put as many people on ponds to watch for loons as we can muster. Volunteers interested in going for a paddle on a Saturday morning are welcome. There is a simple reporting form to fill out. Everyone is invited back to MAC’S Canoe Livery for coffee and a muffin after the census. Please register for a pond by calling Grace at 891 – 2744. For more information on the loon science work of Nina Schock go to www.wcs.org/adirondackloons.

With invasive species such as Eurasian Milfoil becoming more of a presence in the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Watershed Alliance is encouraging paddlers to be more vigilant than ever to help prevent them from spreading. Invasive species often spread when plants and their seeds are carried by boats from watershed to watershed. Paddlers can help prevent the spread of these plants by checking their boats and gear to make sure that they are free of plants before entering a new water body. Invasive plants often disrupt the natural balance of an ecosystem by becoming the dominant plant. With no natural enemies, the plants often out compete native species.

The AWA is coordinating projects with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail to improve and enhance canoe trails and campsites in the Adirondacks. If you would be interested in volunteering your time, or contributing your cash to one or more of our projects please give us a call at 518 891 – 2744. We have offered assistance to the DEC in the demolition and construction of the boardwalk at Brown’s Tract; we will partner with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on campsite and portage enhancement projects, we will continue our work in the St. Regis Canoe Area and along the 90 Miler route. Your interest and participation are encouraged and appreciated. Thank you.

We have been diligently working with the DEC to remedy the deplorable condition of the boardwalk at the Browns Tract Carry. GOOD NEWS. When last we talked to DEC the funding was in place and the design has been determined to replace the boardwalk and widen and update the existing structure. Plans call for a total removal of the materials that have been repeatedly cobbed together over the past decade. The AWA has offered its resources to assure the job is done ahead of the 2008 90 Miler. If you would like to offer either your physical or financial support to this project – please contact Brian at macadk@northnet .org THANKS!

The Adirondack Watershed Alliance is a paddling club developed to assure the continued promotion and organization of paddlesport activities; develop a steward network to enhance recreational opportunities; and provide outdoor employment. We coordinate the Adirondack Canoe and kayak race series; offer clinics and trips; and encourage cooperation between all recreational users of the waterways of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Currently Brian and Grace McDonnell coordinate the majority of the activities of the AWA. Mike Lynch joined our staff for the 2007 season, and we look forward to his return in 2008. We will increase the AWA staff again this year with a person to assist in behind the scenes planning and event coordination. We welcome your thoughts, ideas, continuing support and encouragement.

Membership Application

THE ADIRONDACK WATERSHED ALLIANCE

Post Office Box 66 Lake Clear, NY 12945

(518) 891 - 2744

The AWA was formed to assure the continued promotion and organization of paddlesport activities; develop a stewardship network to enhance recreational opportunities; and provide outdoor employment opportunities. We coordinate the Adirondack Canoe and kayak race series; offer clinics and trips; and encourage cooperation between all recreational users of the waterways of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

Feel free to recommend an event, activity or project you would be interested in. Clean water – it flows from here!

Name:

Address:

Phone: email:

Annual membership is $25. Make checks payable to: AWA, and mail to: PO Box 66 Lake Clear, NY 12945

Many of the paddlers who annually participate in the Adirondack Canoe Classic know Holly’s name because she is one of two folks, Ray Morris being the other, who has been a paddler in all 25 of the 90 Milers. What you may not know is Holly has matched her 90 Miler participation string with 25 consecutive years of participation in the 70 Mile General Clinton Regatta held annually on Memorial Day on the Susquehanna River between Cooperstown and Bainbridge. Paddling in the two biggest annual canoe events in New York State every year for the past 25 is a virtually unrepeatable feat. To Holly, it is just something that she has done! Congratulations to a terrific and inspirational woman. See you on the water!

On the twentieth anniversary of the Adirondack Canoe Classic race organizers Brian and Grace McDonnell wanted to do something special to recognize the accomplishment of the three people who had paddled in all of the 90 Milers. They consulted with jeweler and 90 Miler participant, Tim Lennon of Darrah Cooper Jewelers in Lake Placid. Tim hand crafts pendants out of gold and silver. We agreed that the gold canoe would be a fitting recognition for the substantial achievement of Jean Galvin, Holly Crouch and Ray Morris, and any other people who might follow them in paddling from Old Forge to Saranac Lake for their 20^th time in the event.

According to Grace, currently an 11 year veteran of the event, “we really promote the participation and community aspects of The Classic. There is a special group of people who have made paddling, and the 90 Miler a central part of their lives. To be able to paddle in and complete 20 adventures from Old Forge to Saranac Lake is an accomplishment worthy of recognition.”

The Gold Canoe Club has gained a few members each of the past five years. Congratulations to all of you who have made it, and good luck to those of you who aspire to earn your very own “90 Miler” gold canoe.

Jeanne Galvin, Marlene Hyden, Larry Sweeney, Bob Davis, Holly Crouch, Jack Hyden, Brian Finn, Glen Vandewinckel, Ray Morris

John Jackson, Ken Gerg, Norm Goldstein, Lydia Kozinski, Anne Gill -Wood, Robert Wood, Bob Pierson

No Octane Regatta 2008

For the second consecutive year, the Tupper Lake 9-Miler will be held in conjunction with the No Octane Regatta. Held on Little Wolf Pond, The No Octane Regatta is a short drive from the finish line of the Tupper Lake 9-Miler, which ends at the Rod and Game Club on Simon Pond. The No Octane Regatta has been a staple in the Adirondacks for more than 15 years. It features non-motorized wooden boats. Events include canoe jousting, a war canoe race and a grand parade of wooden boats. The No Octane Regatta is a cooperative effort of The Adirondack Museum, Traditional Arts of Upstate New York, The Town of Tupper Lake, The Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce and The Adirondack Watershed Alliance. Look for more information in our spring newsletter – or on macscanoe.com.

Adirondack Watershed Alliance presents the 2008 Events Calendar

MAY 17 Saturday: The ‘Round the Mountain Canoe and Kayak Races

Sundowner Series Paddle Clinic and Time Trial – Upper Saranac Lake

Tuesdays, June 10 & 24, July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19 6:00 PM

September 27 Saturday: Long Lake Long Boat Regatta

The Adirondack Loon Census – St Regis Canoe Area

Membership Application

THE ADIRONDACK WATERSHED ALLIANCE

No Octane Regatta 2008