Thanks to Charles King for letting us know about the upcoming Pireway Paddlefest, in Pireway, NC.

Location: Waccamaw River, 904 Bridge Boat Landing

Time: Saturday, July 12 from 10AM to 2PM

Here are the details of the event that welcomes all levels of paddlers:

• Kayak and Canoe races in pro and recreational classes (5 mile race / 10 mile race)
• Free use of canoes and kayaks for beginners or anyone without their own boat
• Canoe and kayak demo
• Wildlife exhibits
• Waccamaw Siouan Indian Heritage dances
• much more fun for the whole family!

Trophies will be awarded to race winners in each class, and every registered paddler will get a t-shirt, gift box, lunch and drinks. And there will be door prizes too!

For more information and to register, please click here to visit the Pireway Paddlefest website

Do you have a great paddle, canoe or kayak event you’d like to promote? Click here and use our handy contact form to tell us all about it! We’ll post the info here on our blog and also on our Kayak, Canoe and Paddle Races and Events page.

Think you’re a hard core kayaker? Well, how about a 340 mile, non-stop kayak race from Kansas City to St. Charles, MO? The event takes place July 15-19 this year.

Imagine a race across the entire state of Missouri, just you and your boat thrown against 340 miles of wind, heat, bugs and rain. This ain’t no mama’s boy float trip. This race promises to test your mettle from the first stroke in Kansas City to the last gasp in St. Charles. Just entering it will impress your friends. Finishing it will astound them… and winning it? Well, you always thought you were sort of a legend anyway, didn’t you? It’s time to prove it.

The Missouri 340 is an endurance race across the state of Missouri. Competitors will start in Kansas City and finish, some of them anyway, in St. Charles. With numerous towns and hamlets, the course offers plenty of opportunity for resupply while enroute. The Missouri River is also incredibly scenic and isolated in some stretches, with wildlife and beautiful vistas to rival any river in North America. But if you’re trying to win this race, you won’t have time to enjoy  any of it.

Participants are allowed exactly 100 hours to complete the course.  There are nine checkpoints along the route where paddlers are required to sign in and sign out. Cutoff times will be associated with these checkpoints based on the 100 hour pace. Failure to miss two consecutive deadlines is grounds for disqualification. To finish this race in 100 hours is a huge accomplishment. Only 2/3 of the teams were able to do that last year.

Click here to tell us about your next kayak race or, Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks to Gayle, for submitting the information for this upcoming event. If you’re in the vicinity of Freeport, Maine, check it out. Looks like it will be a lot fun for the whole family!

Join us as we celebrate our 27th annual Maine summer paddling event. You’ll see hundreds of kayaks and canoes to compare and try out firsthand. Enjoy clinics, lessons, demonstrations and an opportunity to test paddle your next boat. Beginners and advanced paddlers alike will have a great time at this fun, family-friendly event.

This year’s event will feature a variety of waterfront activities at the L.L. Bean Paddling Center including a free ocean-side cookout, free boat testing of kayaks and canoes, and the chance to speak with industry vendors and experts.

In addition, there will be live bluegrass music, GPS treasure hunts and crafts for the kids. L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools will offer 90-minute kayak tours of Casco Bay for just $29.

Space on the tours is limited. Call 888-552-3261 to reserve a spot.

At the L.L. Bean Campus of Stores in downtown Freeport, clinics and demonstrations are scheduled, and special promotions will be staged all weekend long.

On June 21, a free concert featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Know of a great canoe, kayak or paddling event or race? Click here to let us know about it, and we’ll post the information on our blog.

Need to sell a kayak or buy a kayak? Need to sell or buy a kayak paddle, PFD, dry bag, roof rack or other paddling equipment? How about canoe paddles, canoes, whitewater equipment, or any new or used paddling gear or accessories?

Remember, you can place a FREE kayak and canoe classified ad right here on BornToPaddle.com

Looking to buy? Looking to sell? Send us your info!

Most Tennesse kayakers know about the TSRA (Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association) and their diligent work to not only preserve the beautiful rivers of the state of Tennessee, but also to build a close knit community of paddlers.

The TSRA is a great group to be a part of and a great cause to donate to, as well as to be a part of. TSRA members monitor the health of streams and rivers, organize cleanups river and stream clean ups, enjoy club sponsored trips year round, and offer instruction in sea kayak, whitewater canoe, C-1 and kayak, as well as self rescue, swiftwater rescue, CPR, trip leader seminar and Wilderness First Aid.

To learn more, donate, or become a member of the TSRA, visit their website by clicking this link.

For more places to paddle in the state of Tennessee (TN), click here.

Look for places to paddle in YOUR state? Check out our Places to Paddle pages. Also, now is a great time to book a summer canoe or kayak trip. Take a look at our Whitewater Kayak Park page, and our Adventure Travel page to see the variety of trips available including paddle trips in Florida, Central American, Hawaii, California, Maine and more!