Here are some kayak & canoe races & events happening on the east coast in April.

Canoe & Kayak Festival – South Carolina

The East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival

James Island County Park,

Charleston, SC

April 15-17, 2011

According to their website:

This is a full weekend canoe & kayak event for novice and experienced paddlers.

The weekend includes: lectures, on-water classes, demonstrations, technique, history, and more.

The will also have commercial exhibitors. You will be able to test boats, paddles and accessories on the water at the festival.

Registration has three categories: the Full-Weekend, the Adult Daily, or the Sampler Day for Beginners.

Canoe & Kayak Race – Florida

The Wild Hog Canoe & Kayak Race

Waccasassa River, Bronson, FL

Saturday, April 30th (optional weather date is Saturday, May 7th)

According to their website:

Paddlers will be racing down the Waccasassa River over obstacles, big and small, and around tricky corners.

The race starts at the Waccasassa Bridge, 2 miles East of Otter Creek. It finishes at U.S. Highway 19 at the Waccasassa Bridge, 6 miles south of Otter Creek and 9 miles West of Bronson.

This is a family oriented, alcohol free event.

Classes are:

Kayak: one person.

Canoe: experienced, mixed, recreation, senior (55+), women, & parent/youth (under 17).

Canoe & Kayak Race – Maine

The 45th Annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, Bangor, ME

Saturday, April 16th

Sponsored by the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department.

According to their website:

This race is for kayaks and canoes.

There are many race categories for kayaks and canoes.

For more information on these kayaking & canoeing races & events or to find other paddling races, events, festivals, paddlefests, adventure races or triathlons, click here to go to our kayak, canoe & paddling races and events page.

 Looking for paddling locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

Do you have a paddling event, kayak race, canoe race you would like listed on our paddling races and events page? Please use our handy contact form to send us the details.

If you live in Georgia and are looking for a place to paddle, kayak or canoe, you are among some of the luckiest paddlers in the country – we’ve found some great paddling locations in Georgia!

• Many of Georgia State Parks allow kayaking and canoeing on their lakes and rivers. There may be a fee or permit required. Some parks offer kayak and canoe rentals.

• You can also join the Georgia State Park Paddler’s Club. Join the club and kayak or canoe the 22 mile paddling trails at six of the states parks. The water trails at each state park vary in miles but total 22 miles in all. According to their website, these paddles are for both seasoned paddlers and beginners. They vary in difficulty, so paddlers have a chance to improve their skill level as they paddle from park to park.

The paddling trails range from tidal rivers to the Okefenokee Swamp. Members can earn a bragging-rights t-shirt. The Six State parks are Crooked River, George L. Smith, Magnolia Springs, Reed Bingham, Stephen C Foster and Sweetwater Creek. Please note that some of the parks may be affected by low water.

They advise that you call ahead to make sure the water trail is open. Check out their website for all the information you need to join the club and have a fun and safe paddle.

• The Chattahoochee River is also a great place to paddle. 48 Miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area is available to kayak canoe or raft, year round. If you want to paddle but left your kayak or canoe home, there are outfitters in the area for day use rentals.

• You can also paddle at the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southern most barrier island. According to their website, kayaking is a great way to enjoy the marsh area.

Click here for more information and to check out the web sites to these places to paddle in Georgia.

Click here to find places to paddle around the U.S.

If you have a favorite place to paddle, please click here to send it to us using our contact page. We’ll post it on our places to paddle page.