33rd Annual Berks County Canoe-Kayak Regatta
Schuylkill River, Reading, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by the Keystone Canoe Club, WEEU and A&N Outfitters
in conjunction with the
Berks County Chapter of the American Red Cross,
and is sanctioned and insured by the United States Canoe Association.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 3, 2003
Registration, 8:30 AM
Shuttle, 9:30 AM
Competitor's Meeting, 10:30 AM
Race Start, 11:00 AM
Start: Berne Bridge. Registration is at the start.
Follow signs for the Canoe Race from US Route 61, south of the
junction of I-78. (See map.)
Finish: Stoudt's Ferry Bridge Road. Trophies will be presented at the finish line.
Distance: approximately 12 miles, class I water.
Entry Fee: $14.00 per paddler pre-registration prior to April 28, 2003.
After April 28, 2003, $16.00 per paddler.
Entry form (in PDF)
Awards:T-shirts to the first 75 entrees (guaranteed for
all pre-registrants). Trophies are awarded by place; the top three
winners of reach class will receive awards.
Race Information:Mitch/Donna Zimmer at 610-779-8817.
Race Goals
The Regatta is a race held annually to promote water safety and canoesport.
However, most contestants are known to have fun too.
It is an opportunity for paddlers to test their paddling skills against
each other and the river.
The 2003 Regatta is being run on an 12-mile Class I section of the
Schuylkill River.
The race starts at Berne Bridge (just south of Hamburg) and ends
at Stoudt's Ferry (just north of Reading).
This particular section of the Schuylkill River ranges in depth
from 3 feet to several feet, and contains alternate sections of
calm water and moving water with some riffles and low ledges.
As such, it is ideal for the novice, occasional paddler and also offers
a challenge for more competitive paddlers.
Difference classes of competition are offered to cover a broad
spectrum of canoeing interests and abilities.
This section of the river also passes under six bridges and offers many
interesting vantage points for spectators.
Classes of Competition
Division I: general recreation or standrd boats (See Rule #10)
AA. C-1 solo paddler (classes for male/female).
BB. K-1 recreational kayak (classes for male/female). Special class for
sit-on-top kayaks.
CC. C-2 junior/senior (one paddler, male or female age 14 or under with
one paddler, male or female, age 21 or over).
DD. C-2 women's novice (novice paddlers who are not paddling boats
manufactured specifically to USCA spec. Includes all standard craft
such as Grumman, Coleman, Mad River, Blue Hole, etc.)
EE. C-2 mixed (men and women; novice; same as above).
FF. C-2 Men's recreational canoe.
Division II: Flat water racing (USCA and ICF specifications apply) (USCA sanctioned)
GG. C-2 men's USCA stock boats
HH. C-2 mixed (competition cruiser and USCA stock boats)
II. C-1 competition cruiser (male or female)
JJ. C-2 competition cruiser (male or female - may be split)
KK. K-1 downriver kayak (classes for male/female)
Three or more will constitute a class.
Additional classes will be added if sufficient interest is expressed.
Some classes may be combined depending on the number of entries.
Master classes will be added if 3 or more entries are registered.
Contact the race organizer for additional information.
Rules of Competition
1. All USCA rules of competition will prevail, including specifications
for competition and stock classes.
2. Commonly accepted rules of sportsmanship will prevail at all times.
3. Race officials will rule on any questions that may arise.
Their decision will be final.
4. US Coast Guard approved PFD's must be worn by all competitors for
the length of the race.
Noncompliers will be disqualified.
5. Competitors leaving the race course before crossing the finish line must
tell race officials of their decision to withdraw from competition.
6. Competitors must render assistance to other competitors in need
of assistance.
7. Only single-bladed paddles may be used in canoe classes.
There is no restriction on the width.
8. Any canoe may be inspected at the start of the race on request.
9. Alcoholic beverages may not be carried in any boats entered in the race.
10. Separate classes for Coleman, aluminum, and ABS canoes will be
formed if more canoes each specific construction are registered.
Directions to Start of Race
From Reading:
Route 61 north to Shoemakersville.
At traffic light, turn left onto Noble Avenue.
Watch for "Canoe Race" signs.
(Landmarks: Sheetz and Sunoco station.)
At stop sign, turn right onto Main Street.
Follow Main Street and turn left onto Zweizig Road.
(Landmark: G.P. Fastener Co., blue building.)
Follow road across RR tracks to river at Berne Bridge.
From I-78:
Exit #9, Route 61 south to Shoemakersville.
At traffic light, turn right onto Noble Avenue.
Watch for "Canoe Race" signs.
Then follow above directions.
Vantage points to view race:
Shoemakersville Bridge: return to Main Street and follow
it south to the bridge.
Mohrsville Bridge: return to Route 61, follow south
for 2.7 miles and turn right. (Landmark: The Truck Outlet)
Dauberville Bridge: return to Route 61, follow south
for 0.4 miles and turn right. (Landmark: Guards Auto Sales)
Leesport Bridge: return to Route 61, follow south to
traffic light, turn right onto Wall Street. (Landmarks:
Turkey Hill and Schoolside Plaza)
Cross Keys Bridge: return to Route 61, follow south
to Cross Keys Road, and turn right at traffic light.
(Landmark: Boy Scout Headquarters)
Directions to finish:
Follow Cross Keys Road west 1.7 miles from Route 61
to first left turn at Rickenbach Road. Follow road
and watch for "Canoe Race" signs for parking.
Map
Contact: webmaster.