Rumford ski club to host Androscoggin River canoe race Aug. 27

Participating in an Androscoggin River sprint in 2021 were, from left, Chip Loring and Mark Ranco. Submitted photo

RUMFORD — Chisholm Ski Club plans to hold the Androscoggin River Canoe Race on Saturday, Aug. 27.

This year’s race has two course options: 10-mile racing class boats and a five-mile recreational canoe class. Both courses start and finish at the Rumford Maine Boat Launch on U.S. Route 2, directly across from the Rumford Public Works Garage, according to a news release from the club.

Races start at 10 a.m. and late registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the boat launch. The first 100 participants will receive a free event T-shirt, free barbecue lunch, and five free swag raffle tickets. A free public concert performance by the Acoustapaliens will be held from noon to 3 p.m.

Schedule of events:
• 8 a.m. — volunteers arrive;
• 8:30 a.m. — late registration and participant sign in opens;
• 9 a.m. — safety team meeting;
• 9:30 a.m. — race participant instructions and safety briefing;
• 10 a.m. — race classes start;
• 10:30 a.m. — recreational classes start;
• Noon — public concert by the Acoustapaliens;
• Noon — barbecue free to participants, open to public with a donation; and
• 1:30 p.m. — awards and swag raffle drawing (additional swag tickets five for $10 at registration desk).

Canoes will pass by the start finish three times for each course with ample views for spectators downstream and up stream.

The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and the clean-up of the Androscoggin River. Rumford’s U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie sponsored the Clean Water Act.

Event sponsors and event partners include United States Canoe Association, Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Association, New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association, town of Rumford, Rumford Parks and Recreation, Rumford Fire Department Water Rescue Team, Mahoosuc Mountain Search and Rescue, Turner Publishing, Brookfield Renewal Energy, Black Mountain of Maine, Rumford Polar Bear Snowmobile Club, Androscoggin River Watershed Council, Community Energy, Dan Warner and the Preble Family.

For detail information and race registration, visit chisholmskiclub.org/paddlesports.