2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS


Check out what 2012 events are in your neck of the woods on our Calendar of Events for Canoe & Kayak Magazine. Get your events listed here! Email Michael Gordon at gordon@canoekayak.com. Be sure to put the word “Calendar” in the subject line.

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December


// JANUARY

January 7th, New Year’s Challenge, Seattle, WA
It’s that time of the year and the Challenge Championship Belts are once again up for grabs! Come and join us on January 7th, 2012 for the Third Annual New Year’s Challenge. Last year we had over 120 competitors come out and compete against outrigger canoes, surf skis, kayaks, standup paddle boards, dragon boats, rowing shells, and many other human powered crafts. The New Year’s Challenge will take the paddlers from Gasworks Park, through Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut, into Lake Washington, and north to Sandpoint. paddlingdynamics.com/challenge/

// FEBRUARY

February 4-5, Race the Keys, Key Largo, FL
Yes the Bogey & Bacall Classic Paddlefest weekend is back bigger & better! Please join us for 2 days of paddling events. Besides the kayak and canoe races, we have now added stand up paddleboard races to the schedule of events. The Saturday Bogey classic will consist of a 13.2 mile kayak & canoe race and an elite 6 mile SUP race. The Sunday Bacall Classic will hold a 6 mile kayak & canoe race and a 3 mile SUP race. This will be a fun and exciting weekend on the water in Key Largo for all paddlers. Come and help celebrate the return of the Bogey & Bacall Classic. racethekeys.com/

February 21-24, Sweetwater Kayaks BCU Week, St. Petersburg, FL
This event proceeds annual Sweetwater Kayaks annual symposium. Tentative classes during the week include BCU L2 coach, BCU 2*, 3*, and 4* training. There is also a 2* training class scheduled. sweetwaterkayaks.com/

February 24-26, Sweetwater Kayaks 2012 Symposium, St. Petersburg, FL
Some of the top names in the kayaking/canoeing world will be at the symposium this year. For people who want to have a fun, informative time in the warm Florida weather. From beginners to advanced paddlers, there will be something for everyone. Personal skills, courses, coaching courses, and assessments as well as evening presentations and lots of opportunity to mix it up with paddlers from all over the world. sweetwaterkayaks.com/

February 25-March 2, First Annual Girls Gone SUP’n mardi Gras Surf Camp, Playa Jaco, Costa Rica
No guys allowed! Join YOLO Board team rider, Darian Boyle, for a week of fun on the water, spa treatments, yoga and nature excursions with your girlfriends. vistaguapa.com/

// MARCH

March 3-9, Dam to the Bay Paddle, Bloxham, FL
Experience the Ochlockonee River and primitive north Florida over approximately 76 miles of wilderness river trail while paddling through the Apalachicola National Forest. Ochlokonee adventure begins at Ed and Bernice’s Fish Camp with overnights at Pine Creek Landing, Whitehead Lake, Mack Landing, Womack Creek, and Ochlockonee River State Park. Trail’s end is at Bald Point State Park, 76 miles down the river. paddleflorida.org/och/ochlockonee.html

March 3, Quietwater Symposium, Lansing, MI
The Quiet Water Symposium is an annual one-day event that celebrates nonmotorized, outdoor recreation. Handcrafted canoes and kayaks, snowshoes, historic watercraft, water and weather safety, first aid, nature photography, diving, sailing, bicycling, traditional skills, and more can be found at QWS. quietwatersymposium.org

March 3, 3rd Annual Battle on the Bayou, Ocean Springs, MS
3rd annual 9.5 mile kayak/canoe multi-class race on Old Ft. Bayou in Ocean Springs. A good time is guaranteed. The goal is to get 200 boats on the water during this event. Proceeds benefit the conservation & education efforts of the bayou. battleonthebayou.com

March 9-11, Canoecopia, Madison, WI
Canoecopia is the world’s largest paddlesport consumer show, hosted by Rutabaga, a paddler-owned business. There are over 120 speakers from all over the world, plus 100,000 sq. ft. of canoes, kayaks, gear, clothing and outdoor equipment, all on sale. Exhibitors and outfitters from all over the globe offer paddling trips anywhere. Show hours are Friday: 4-9pm,Saturday: 9am-6pm, and Sunday: 10am-5pm. canoecopia.com

March 9-11, 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Standup Classic, Sayulita, Mexico
Competition categories: Elite SUP Race – 4 laps around 1-mile offshore course, 10km “Punta to Punta” distance Race, 2.2km Sayulita Fun Race, and Kids SUP Fun Relay Race. The Classic Fiesta is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at the door. Proceeds raised from the Classic will be donated to the local Sayulita chapter of the Reef Check Foundation and The Punta Sayulita foundation. puntasayulitasurfclassic.com

March 10, 40th Annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Houston, TX
A 15 mile USCA-sanctioned race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou. The start is located at 7700 San Felipe and ends at Sesquicentennial Park. buffalobayou.org

March 10, Mickey Munoz Mongoose Cup, Dana Point, CA
Join Mickey and his friends for a day of paddling fun, Waterman Expo & SUP Clinics, camaraderie and a delicious BBQ. The event kicks off the 2012 Standup Paddleboard season and is a great way to get ready for another exciting paddling year. Event proceeds to benefit local charity and surfing organizations: Terry martin Medical Fund and the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association. mongoosecup2012-eorg.eventbrite.com

March 16-19, Florida FreeStyle Canoeing Symposium, Yulee, FL
The FFS offers excellent instruction in a quiet water venue for people wishing to improve their skills in paddling and precise control of their canoes. Courses are offered in all skill levels and are taught by ACA certified instructors. Student/instructor ratio is limited to 5 to 1. freestylecanoeing.com

March 16-18, 26th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest, Santa Cruz, CA
The 26th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest has competition surfing heats all day long Friday and Saturday. On Sunday the final heats for all surfing events take place. Therer will be Paddlefest booths open at Steamer Lane during the three day event. asudoit.com

March 17, Lula Bridge Race, Gainesville, GA
10K and 20K race on Lake Lanier for all classes. lckc.org

March 23-25, Jersey Paddlers Paddlesport 2012, Somerset, NJ
The largest canoe, kayak, and stand up paddling show on the East Coast. The show features manufacturers of kayaks, canoes, accessories, sportswear, paddling clubs professional instruction and expeditions, as well as lectures and video and slide shows of paddling trips, expeditions and paddling techniques. jerseypaddler.com/paddlesport-2012

March 24-25, Xtrm 25km Cabrera Openwater, Majorca, Spain
This open water, 25km journey gives all participants the opportunity to try the challenge of paddling from the mallorcan coast, to the islands of the National Park of Cabrera and return to the Mallorcan Coast. It is quite a challenge of peerless beauty, due to its courses by the waters of the National Park of Cabrera. sup25k.com

March 30-April 1, New England Paddlesports Show, Durham, NH
See the best in paddling! There will be a comprehensive, in-depth look at the season’s top offerings in kayaks, SUPs, canoes and paddling-related accessories. Attend instructional seminars and on-the-water demos in the University of New Hampshire indoor pool. ktpevents.com

// APRIL

April 6-9, River Ramble, Apopka, FL
Spend two days exploring the spring-fed upper Wekiwa then paddle down to the St. Johns and Blue Spring State Park on this long weekend adventure. paddleflorida.org

April 7-8, Surftech Duathlon & SUP Shootout, Santa Cruz, CA
On Saturday there will be a surf and sand duathlon on Cowell’s Beach with a 2.7 mile paddle out to the Santa Cruz harbor and back followed by a short half-mile beach sprint. This fill finish the NOVICE division while the ELITE paddlers will head back out on the water for the final 3.7 mile paddle leg finishing up with a half-mile sand sprint to the finish. On Sunday there will be a surf event at Steamers Lane. surftech.com/events/

April 7, Seaside Slide, Seaside, CA
The 14th annual homegrown race starts in Seaside, CA sends paddleboarders and standup paddlers on a 7-mile round trip up to Moonlight Beach and back.

April 15, Aloha Corporate Challenge, Newport Beach, CA
Bring support to the Newport Beach community through generous participation. All ages are invited to join the quest for making the the Newport Beach community a better place while enjoying the race and activities of the day. Many of the hightlights will include a Hawaiian Luau, a 800 meter race, entertainment, games for all ages, awards, and more. newportaquaticcenter.com/corporatechallenge.html

April 18, Charleston Patriot Challenge, Charleston, SC
A kayak, SUP, and canoe race/charity paddle to benefit those men and women who are missing limbs after serving in our armed services. Both courses tart from Brittlebank Park. We have a three-mile course in the protected waters of the Ashley River and a six-mile course that skirts the city shoreline to the yacht club and back. The course is visible from the windows of the Veterans Hospital. All recreational SUP, canoe, and kayak paddlers are welcome to join in the day’s festivities. charlestonpatriotchallenge.org

April 20-22, East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival, Charleston, SC
Experience a full weekend immersed in the history, technique, hands-on experience, and fun of canoeing and kayaking. This action-packed festival features a multitude of on-water classes, demonstrations, and classroom presentations by leading instructors, along with over 60 commercial exhibits. You will be able to test boats, paddles, and accessories on the water at the festival site. You will also have the opportunity to speak with equipment designers and manufacturers throughout the weekend. ccprc.com/ecckf

April 21-22, Bay Area Paddlefest, Fremont, CA
The largest paddlesports expo in California. Those who want to see what paddling is all about can take on- and off-water classes to learn more and then put what they learned to use in demo boats and boards. For those already hooked on paddling can try all the major brands out in one place. thebaypaddlefest.org

April 27-29, Outdoor Adventure Expo, Minneapolis, MN
See over 70 exhibitors, 100 presentations, and find the best sales on the best selection of boats and accessories. This expo takes place at the Midwest Mountaineering Store, in big-top tents, and at the University of Minnesota Campus. A canoe and kayak demo occurs on Thursday 26-Apr from 3-8 p.m. on Lake Nokomis. A canoe and kayak auction occurs at 11 a.m. on Saturday 28-Apr. outdooradventureexpo.com

April 28, Bluz Cruz, Madison Parish Port, LA
A 22 mile paddling adventure down the mighty Mississippi River. Race starts at 8:00 at Madison Parish Port, LA and ends in Vicksburg, MS at the Waterfront. Proceeds benefit Service Over Self, a Christian-based youth service organization. bluzcruz.com

April 28-29, French Broad River Classique Canoe and Kayak Race, Asheville, NC
The annual French Broad River Classique Canoe and Kayak Race is a two-day, 34-mile, USCA sanctioned event that is held on the fourth weekend of April near Asheville, NC. The Classique is for experienced racers, while an 8-mile Fun Race on the Sunday of the event will be open for novice racers. fbcanoeracing.org

April 28-29, Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup, Gig Harbor, WA
This two day event is based in historic downtown Gig Harbor with event races for Canoes, kayaks, and SUP. The categories of the races are SUP, Sea Kayak and Canoe, Sprint Canoe and Kayak, and para Canoe races. Racs start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday. Each day the event will run throughout the day with vendors and booths set up in the park while the raes are taking place. The Expo iin the park is an opportunity to try out equipment, view new boats and learn more about paddling sports. fbcanoeracing.org

April 28-May 6, Stand Up World Tour: France, La Torche, France
The second leg of the world tour is located on France’s Atlantic coast. La Torche Pro standupworldtour.com/

April 30-May 5, Pygmy Boat Building Class, Port Townsend, WA
Over the 6-day course students will complete major assembly of their kayak. At the conclusion of the class, kayaks will be ready to be ready to be car-topped home, where the final construction steps and varnish application will be completed. pygmyboats.com/boat-building-classes.html

// MAY

May 5, 4th Annual Sweetwater Paddle for the Cure, Tampa, FL
Set against the skyline of downtown Tampa, this kayak and SUP race raises money for cancer research. It includes a five-mile race and two-mile family fun paddle. Kayak and SUP rentals are available. All proceeds will benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. The MMRF has been on the forefront of research and development of drugs to fight Multiple Myeloma and other cancers. beatcancerwithpaddle.com

May 5, CRBI Race and Canoe-a-Thon, Rome, GA
A 13-mile race for all classes on moving water with no rapids or obstacles. There will be a festival that follows the race. coosa.org

May 11-14, Atlantic Paddle Symposium, Liscomb Mills, Canada
The Atlantic Paddle Symposium is the premier paddling event in Atlantic Canada. It brings together the Atlantic Canada paddling community for a 4-day event focused on skill development, the outdoors, leadership, education and paddling safety. The Symposium facilitates relationship building within the Atlantic Canada paddling community as well as among top paddling leaders within the sport. atlanticpaddlesymposium.com

May 12, 3rd Lake Cumberland Kayak Fishing Tournament, Lee’s Ford Marina, KY
Anglers will leave at the same time/location and return at 4 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. with a band, dinner and drinks. There are three divisions: Men’s, women’s and youth. Prizes for first three places in each division. Longest of bass, striper, and catsfish counts for the win. kykayakfishing.com

May 12, 7th Annual Rivanna Regatta Kayak & Canoe Race, Charlottesville, VA
A 6.2 mile race on the historic and scenic Rivanna River. The race course includes Class II-II+ rapids. An award ceremony will be held at Darden Towe boat ramp shortly after the last race completes the race. rivannaregatta.blogspot.com

May 18-20, Pigg River Ramble Weekend, Rocky Mount, VA
The Pigg River Ramble is the largest three-day canoe/kayak event in VA. Come out and enjoy three days of paddling on two different rivers. There will be a night paddle. visitfranklincountyva.org

May 18-20, Annual Benscreek Canoeclub Whitewater Rendezvous, Johnstown, PA
Along with the rendezvous, there will bea downriver race Friday evening and a flatwater race on Saturday. As well as a wild Boater-X race and a Whitewater Rodeo. Throughout the weekend there will be ongoing play in the Whitewater Park; opportunities to paddle the Stony Canyon on releases from Qemahoning and any other rivers running that weekend. There will be music, boating vendors, and food vendors. benscreekcanoeclub.com/rendezvous

May 19, Kittery Trading Post Paddlesprots Demo Day, South Berwick, ME
Try before you buy on scenic, private waters in southern Maine. Test paddle recreational, sit-on-top, touring, & fishing kayaks, SUPs, & canoes during this annual rite-of-spring event presented by Kittery Trading Post. ktpevents.com

May 20, Oyster The Race: Austin, Austin, TX
Merrell’s Oyster The Race is the ultimate urban hybrid race, sending teams of 2-6 racers out on a mystery course around the city. Now heading into its 9th season, Oyster is the longest running “urban adventure race” in the USA. The courses can range from 15-30 miles and 3-6 hours, providing an endurance level to suit all apetites. Oyster has an uncanny ability to combine athleticism with thought provoking strategy. While you “may not” get burned or covered in mud, teams can be seen running, biking, kayaking, rock climbing and performing crazy stunts while solving city and sponsor specific clues in a race to the finish line. Racers can then spend the rest of their afternoon drinking beer and re-fueling with burritos while they reminisce about their day of adventure, mistakes, sweat, awesomeness and discovering the city. oysterracingseries.com/

May 25-28, Wisconsin FreeStyle Canoe Symposium, Plymouth, WI
The WFS offers excellent instruction in a quiet water venue for people wishing to improve their skills in paddling and precise control of their canoes. Courses will be available in all skill levels, both solo and tandem, and taught by ACA certified instructors. Student/instructor ratio is limited to 5 to 1. freestylecanoeing.com

May 25-28, Yampa River Festival, Yampa River, CO
friendsoftheyampa.com

May 25-27, CKS Paddle Fest, Buena Vista, CO
Colorado Kayak Supply is hosting a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer paddling season. Join us for an action-packed weekend of fun and educational activities for paddlers of all ages and abilities. Paddles from beginers to aspiring competitors can rub elbows with paddling manufacturers, top athletes, and other industry pros during a weekend chock full of education, competitions, demo days, entertainment, gear shopping and camaraderie. ckspaddlefest.com

May 26-27, South Dakota Kayak Challenge, Yankton, SD
The South Dakota Kayak Challenge is a marathon-endurance paddling race on the Missouri River. The race length is about 75 miles. Racers will have 30 hours to reach the finish line in Sioux City, Iowa after they leave the start on Saturday at 7 a.m. in Yankton, SD. Racers will have four checkpoints on the route. sdkayakchallenge.org

May 26-June 3, Stand Up World Tour: Tahiti, Sapinus, Tahiti
The third leg of the world tour is located on Tahiti’s northwest coastline. Sapinus Pro. standupworldtour.com

May 31-June 3, Teva Mountain Games, Vail, CO
Professional and amateur athletes from around the world converge upon the mountains and rivers of Vail to compete in eight sports and 24 disciplines for more than $100,000 in prize money. Summer 2012 sporting events include steep, freestyle, sprint, and full contact kayaking, rafting, mountain, road, freeride, and slopestyle biking, world cup bouldering, amateur climbing, fly fishing, sprint and cross stand up paddling and trail, mud and long dsitance running. There will be concerts on Thursday and Saturday night. tevamountaingames.com/summer

// SEPTEMBER

Date TBD, Midwest Canoe & Kayak Collegiate Championships – St. Cloud, Minn.
This nationally sanctioned event draws participation from regional colleges and universities to St. Cloud, Minnesota to compete in downriver racing on the Mississippi River. The event is intended to promote paddlesports involvement, at all levels, along with the spirit of competition with participating schools. The Mississippi River provides a unique venue for downriver racing along with being arguably one of our most significant national waterways. For more info, go to americancanoe.org and click on the Competition tab.

Date TBD, ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships – Bratislava, Slovakia.
Not only is this the biggest slalom competition on the globe, it is also a qualifier for the Olympic Games. Paddlers from around the world converge to test their skills and prove their superior paddling action. Come check out world class athletes and Olympic medalists. canoeslalom2011.com

Date TBD, Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup – Longview, Wash.
Come learn more than you thought you could know about kayaking at the LoCo Roundup, held on the scenic and adventurous Columbia River. With skilled instructors and scheduled breakfast, lunch and dinner, everything is taken care of. Learn about rolling skills, paddling techniques and on-land cross-training programs. www.locoroundup.com

Date TBD, Gauley Fest – Summersville, West Va.
The festival is a showcase for American Whitewater and the top whitewater vendors in the boating community. The festival will feature live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, raffle, and a silent auction where you can pick up some awesome outdoor gear. Come out and join us for a weekend of great paddling, exciting camaraderie, live entertainment, killer boat raffles, and the infamous silent auction. americanwhitewater.org

// OCTOBER

Date TBD, Greenland Week Kayak Symposium – Issaquah, Iowa.
The Greenland Week Symposium is a true homage to everything about old-school kayaking. There will be many rare and traditional events including paddle carving clinic, harpoon throwing clinics and competition, kayak surfing, rope gymnastics and, of course, Greenland-style rolling. Come out and enjoy the kayaking experience of a lifetime. Kayakacademy.com

// NOVEMBER

Date TBD, Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival – Fort Myers, Fla.
Festivities include competitive canoe/kayak races, a kayak fishing tournament, paddling clinics and demonstrations, seminars, family activities, archaeological and environmental events, guided tours, and more celebrations along The Great Calusa Blueway. calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com

Date TBD, Green River Narrows Race – Henderson County, N.C.
The Green River Narrows Race was first organized by Leland Davis in the fall of 1996 with a modest field of 16 racers. It has since grown into the greatest show in all of sports. No other prize in the sport of whitewater kayaking is more coveted than the piece of glass so graciously donated each year by Todd Grafe. With names like Tommy Hilleke, Jason Hale, Clay Wright, Al Gregory, Pat Keller, and Andrew Holcombe claiming the top spot there is no doubt the race attracts the best of the best. Greenrace.amongstit.com

Date TBD, Washington Whitewater Trust’s 6th annual Benefit Dinner & Auction – Woodinville, Wash.
For more than 13 years, WWT has been building coalitions around innovative solutions to ensure healthy, sustainable flows in our rivers and streams. The 6th annual benefit dinner and auction features guest speaker Robert T. Anderson, director, Native American Law Center, from the University of Washington. Learn more about WWT and the benefit event: washingtonwatertrust.org

// DECEMBER

Date TBD, Deception Pass Dash – Deception Pass State Park, Wash.
Join hundreds of your fellow racers for a six-mile jaunt through the challenging waters of Deception Pass, WA. In 2011, the 6th Annual Dash will feature a two-day paddling festival, Dec. 3-4, with the Dash itself going down on Sunday the 4th, starting at 10:25 a.m. rubycreekboathouse.com

// MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!