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08/06/2019 02:45 PMAnyone who’s idea of outdoor summer fun involves a paddle of some sort is in luck. This year marks the third year for the annual Conquer the Current downriver paddle regatta to benefit the Connecticut River Museum. It will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to any paddle craft that can make it down the river.
This year’s event will include three different race routes of three, nine, and 23 miles.
“This is a very fun event,” said Museum Marketing Manager Jane Raunikar. “I participated in it last year and had a great time.”
The Essex Harbor Recreation Race is a new, three-mile race that starts at Pettipaug Yacht Club and finishes at the Connecticut River Museum. Registration for this race is $45 per person and $75 for tandem kayaks and canoes. The second route is the Eagle Landing Race, a nine-mile race that starts at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam and finishes in front of the Connecticut River Museum. Registration for this race is $60 per person and $85 for tandem kayaks and canoes.
For the fully committed, the third route is the Middletown Distance Race, a 23-mile points race that begins at Yankee Marina, 54 Riverview Street in Portland and finishes in front of the Connecticut River Museum. Registration for this race is $75 per person, $130 for tandem kayaks and canoes.
The races are open to paddlers aged 16 and up and all races are fully staffed with support and safety boats. Youths aged 12 to 15 are welcome to participate with a registered participating adult. The races are followed by awards on the museum lawn, lunch, and a plethora of fun activities.
“If you think you can’t do it, you can, the fun race is very easy and its timed to go when the current is going down river, so if you wanted to you could just sit there and let the current take you without paddling at all,” Raunikar said. “And the view is amazing!”
Raunikar suggests signing up early, although there will be sign up available the day of the event as well, however, the first 100 people who sign up for the race will receive a canvas grocery bag with the Connecticut River Museum logo on it.
In addition to the bags, this year the awards for the race are also unique. Instead of traditional medals, they will be environmentally friendly awards made out of recycled drift wood that has been cut down and branded especially for the regatta.
“Beyond the race itself, it’s just a fun day to spend on the river, being part of the community,” said Raunikar. “There will be food trucks, lawn games, and lots of other activities once the race is over and it’s a great way to spend a day in Essex.”
All proceeds from the regatta will go to benefit the museum’s education programs.
For more information, visit ctrivermuseum.org. Registration for the event is through paddleguru.com. Upon registration, a detailed race sheet will be sent with the daily schedule.