October is a very busy month for paddling events.

 If you are looking for a paddling challenge, you might want to enter the Suwannee River Challenge or the Suwannee River Marathon on Saturday, October 10th.

The Suwannee River Challenge is a 52 mile race that starts in Fargo, Georgia and ends in White Springs, Florida. According to their website, they have designed this race to push the limits of even the most experienced paddler.

If you are looking for a shorter race than check out the Suwannee River Marathon which is a 26 mile race that starts at the SR 6 Bridge and ends in White Springs, Florida. 
 

Both races will go through Big Shoals which is Florida’s only class III whitewater.

There are many divisions for kayaks and canoes for both races.
 

To participate in these races you will need to be a member of the USCA. The cost for an event membership is $5.00.

Paddling Festival
 The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, October 23 thru November 1st has races and events that the whole family can enjoy.

The Calusa Blueway is Florida’s 190 mile marked paddling trail that goes from the southern tip of Bonita Springs to the northern most point around Pine Island Sound and up the Caloosahatchee River.

Festival events include:

The Imperial River Challenge: in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs on Saturday, October 24. This is a 2 mile race on the upper Imperial River. There are six race categories.

 Paddle the Pass: in Matlacha Park, Matalcha, Florida on Sunday, November 1st. This race has a recreational 4 mile paddle and a competitive 10 mile paddle.

There is also a kayak fishing tournament, paddling clinics, paddling demonstrations, seminars, and family activities.
 

For more information and to find out how to register, please click here to go to our Races and Event page.

To find other places to paddle, kayak and canoe all over the USA, go to our Places to Paddle page and click on any state, or check out nationwide kayak, canoe and paddle events and races on our Paddling Events and Races page.

If you would like us to post your favorite place to paddle, kayak or canoe or your favorite paddling event or race, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.

We’ve come across some more kayaking and canoeing races and events happening in June that we thought all of our paddling friends out there might be interested in. Read about the paddling events below, then 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.

Washington (State)

Washington Island Canoe and Kayak Event

Date: June 19,20 & 21.

Description: Several events are offered including a Marathon Race, Beginner Race, Intermediate Race and a Death’s Door Expedition Crossing.

Here are some more details:

Beginner Race Length: approximately 3 miles.
Description: The Beginner kayak race starts at the Gislason Beach next to Shipyard Island Marina. Race along the shore in Detroit Harbor starting from Red Barn Park and return. Race is weather dependent. Course may be altered to the Island’s lee shore. This 4 ½ mile water course is traveled daily by Washington Island Ferry Line, carrying passengers between Northport and Washington Island. On Sunday, June 21, 2009, the Washington Island Ferry, and pilot boats will provide escort for a fleet of kayakers paddling across Death’s Door.

Intermediate Race Length: approximately 5 ½ miles.
Description: The Intermediate kayak race starts at Gislason Beach, Red Barn Park, Gislason Beach. Detroit Harbor from Red Barn Park to Detroit Island and back to Red Barn Park. Race is weather dependent. Course may be altered to the Island’s lee shore.

Marathon Race Length: Approximately 22 statute miles.
Description: Circumnavigate Washington Island, approximately 21 statute miles. Starting at Red Barn Park. Race is weather dependent. Course may be altered to the Island’s lee shore.

Expedition crossing of Death’s Door — Paddle from the Potato Dock on Washington Island, past Plum Island to Northport. Expedition crossing is weather dependent. Course may be altered or abbreviated. The Washington Island Canoe & Kayak Event “Death’s Door Expedition” is the experience of a lifetime. Many have waited, not wanting to cross Death’s Door alone. June 21, 2009, is your chance to accomplish an expedition-size, open-water crossing in a team of paddlers. Come and paddle. Make history for yourself, join this Washington Island community crossing Death’s Door passage.

Safety is the priority. Weather will dictate launch, wait or “no-go.” All paddlers and equipment will be vetted prior to launch.

Virginia

2nd Annual Jackson River Paddle

Date & Location: Saturday, June 20th in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Description: A fun event for the whole family, event categories are: Men’s ,Women’s & 18 and under. Open to both canoers and kayakers.

Georgia

Paddle Georgia 2009

SOLD OUT! just as we went to press, we found that this event is already sold out for 2009. But we thought we’d post it anyhow for those of you who may want to get a jump on 2010!

Dates: June 20 – June 26, 2009

Route: A week-long, 92-mile canoe/kayak adventure on North Georgia’s Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers from Ellijay to Rome. Experience Georgia as you never have before.

Description: Each year, about 300 people participate, ranging in age from 4 to 74. Most of these adventurers are “thru-paddlers” traveling all seven days. A smaller number choose Paddle Georgia Lite, our weekend-only option. This year, we expect 300 thru-paddlers and will offer limited space for Paddle Georgia Lite participants.

Florida

Annual Kayak Against Cancer

Date & Time: Saturday June 20th, 2009. Registration is at 6:30 AM. The event starts at 8:00 AM.

Location: The North end of South Beach Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is located just north of the entrance of the South Beach Park parking lot.

Description: Kayak Against Cancer is a kayaking charity event benefiting the American Cancer Society, Florida Division, INC.

There is no registration fee or cost to the participants. However, remember the purpose of this event is to raise money for the American Cancer Society. We are hoping you will come to the event having already raised lots of donations! There is a minimum donation amount of $35.00. If you did not have the chance to get donations and you want to simply pay this amount yourself, that is fine. All checks should be made out directly to the American Cancer Society, Florida Division, INC.

If you don’t have your own boat to paddle, kayaks available for rental.

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.

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.