Here are some great Kayaking & Canoeing Races and Events for May 2009!

Washington (State):
Go Wild Kayak Event, Saturday, May 2.
Inside Passage Kayak Expedition: The expedition will leave from Gig Harbor, Washington and continue on all the way up the coast of Washington, through the islands of Canada, and into the ports of Alaska.

Reno, Nevada
The 6th annual Reno River Festival, May 8-10.
This festival takes place in the heart of downtown Reno at the Truckee River Whitewater Park. Some of the events scheduled are, most extreme whitewater competition, charity raft race, open free style competition and whitewater clinics.

Michigan:
The Bushwhacker 2009 May 16 – May 21.
There are three different races. Solo or tandem teams and any type of canoe or kayak can be used. These events will start at Lumberjack Park, Riverdale, Michigan. The park is located on the pine river.
The Bushwhacker Sprint is a 10 mile paddle down the pine river to Sumner Park. Rental canoes will be available
The Bushwhacker Cruise is a 40 mile paddle. Paddle down the pine river to the town of Alma. This paddle is for boaters that do not wish to do the full 150 mile race, but want to spend a little more time on the water than the 10 mile sprint.
The Bushwhacker 150, this is a 150 mile race plus 7 miles portage. This race is on the Pine River and the Chippewa River.

New Jersey
The 37 annual Toms River Canoe and Kayak Race, Sunday May 17, 2009.
This event is held annually on the Toms River from Riverwood Park to Huddy Park. The race course is 8 miles. Categories are men’s, women’s, solo, tandem, family, youth, experienced and novice. According to their website, there will be free transportation for you & your boat to the starting point.

Maine
The 2nd Annual Aroostook River 60 mile canoe & kayak race, Sunday, May 17.
Paddlers will put in at the Ashland Boat launch area next to the Ashland Fish and Game Club. Kayaking and canoeing down the river to the finish line located at the boat loading area in Fort Fairfield. According to their website, this is the largest river race in the State Of Maine.

Click here to visit our kayak, canoe races and events page to find the links to these websites and to find many other races and events that are going on all year all over the U.S.

Do you have a kayak, canoe and paddling event you’d like us to feature on BornToPaddle.com? If so, click here to send us the info using our handy contact form.

Come on out and paddle the first few miles of this year’s Inside Passage Kayak Expedition 2009. The expedition will leave from Gig Harbor, Washington and continue on all the way up the coast of Washington, through the islands of Canada, and into the ports of Alaska! Even if you can’t go the whole way, paddle out and show your support for an event that is sure to be memorable.

A remarkable journey, the organizers of the unique, daring and fantastic kayak trip are paddling for a good cause: To build awareness for the plight of wild salmon and raise funds for the Living Oceans Society.

How can you participate, even if you can’t set off on a four month kayak expedition up the Pacific Coast? Get over to the Launch Event!

The Go Wild Kayak Event is on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Participants with their own boats should meet at the Gig Harbor (Washington) public boat ramp, those who need to rent a boat, please visit Gig Harbor Rent-a-Boat for 20% kayak rentals for the event.

High tide is forecast for 11:40 AM, so plan to meet at 9am to load kayaks as the tide rises and launch promptly at 10am before high tide.  Colvos Passage, where we will paddle during our first day, is unique in having a permanent northbound current, which we will ride to our first camp at Lisabuela on Vashon Island.

The organizers plan to have an orange balloon for each participating paddler for a magnificent unified parade of balloons crossing the harbor!

Show your support of wild salmon by launching with the Go Wild Inside Passage Kayak Expedition!

For more information, please click here to visit our races and events pages, to RSVP to this event or search for kayaking and canoeing events by state or by date.

If you have a great kayaking or canoeing event or race, or would like to share your favorite place to paddle with our readers, please click here to send us all of the info using our handy contact form.