If every single man, women and child in Ontario County had an above ground 18’ swimming pool that needed to be filled, how long would it take the Canandaigua Outlet to fill them at the current flow rate? This is per person – not per house- so a family of 5 would have 5 pools to fill. Remember this is every town, village and the cities of Geneva and Canandaigua.

The answer is less than 18 hours. The flow rate was in excess of 16,000 gallons per second (2 pools per second).

After discussing the hazards caused by the flooding with some key volunteers, as the Chairman of the Derby I have made the decision to postpone the Wild Water Derby, the Flat Water Regatta, and the Canoe/Kayak Slaloms scheduled for this weekend.

Reasons:

1. The increased force of the water is beyond the safety limits for both paddlers and rescue crews,
2. The shoreline erosion presents new possible unviewed obstacles,
3. All of the flat water has become rapids,
4. the bridge clearances do not allow for most rafts to launch,
5. the technical difficulties of slalom gates are impossible with high water flow rates,
6. the water ratings for the course have increased beyond the published levels submitted on our insurance application, and
7. shoreline safety of young viewers would be more dangerous with the change of water heights.

Even with full sun and no rain for the remainder of the week, the water height under the bridges for the regatta would require carrying the canoes and kayaks across those roads in at least one location in Canandaigua.

Providing that the very generous fireman and swift water rescue teams who donate their time and skills to protect everyone involved are available, the rescheduled date will be May 21st and May 22nd – the weekend between Mothers Day and Memorial Day.***

We’ll post again about it when the re-scheduled dates are confirmed.

Shortsville, NY (midway between Rochester and Syracuse) is the location for this weekend of kayak, canoe and paddling events. This annual paddle weekend offers fun for the whole family and includes the Wild Water Derby on Saturday and Flatwater Regatta with Kayak and Canoe Slalom course on Sunday. There’s also a craft show!

According to their web site:

Saturday April 30, 2011
Wild Water Derby
Schedule of events:
8:00–11:00am – Pancake Breakfast, Red Jacket School, Shortsville, NY off Route 21
8:00–10:30am – Registration / Check In, School
11:30am – Raft Parade, Water Street Shortsville
12:00pm – First Launch
TBD – Awards

Sunday May 1, 2011
10:00am – Flat Water Regatta, Canandaigua Lake to Littleville
1:00pm – Canoe & Kayak Slaloms, Pioneer Road Shortsville

For more information on this event 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 paddlingraces and events page? Please use our handy contact form to send us the details.