You’re invited!
You are invited to the Cascade Canoe &Kayak Distance Race–a 2km, 5 km or 10 km race primarily for International Canoe Federation sprint canoes and kayaks. Other types of paddled craft may be included. The annual date is the last Saturday in October which this year falls on October 29!
Costumes are welcome!
The annual date is the last Saturday in October–this year October 29! The course brings beautiful fall colors feel free to bring your own color as well with your Halloween costume, although that is not a requirement to compete.
The courses
Three distances are offered and all are available to all age groups. All races are run simultaneously, so you must chose! The Sammamish River is normally a slow meandering waterway that connects Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington. It is often called the Sammamish Slough and averages about 30 meters wide and 3 meters deep. The course is very protected and sheltered from wind and waves.
As with any “natural” waterway, there are a few small and easily avoided hazards. As the river meanders along, the inside of turns tend to be shallow. There’s also a few places where side creeks enter the river, resulting in small shallow deltas. In a couple of places trees have fallen into the river and stick out from the shore. There are many bridges crossing the river and some have supports in the water. When we have strong sustained rains, the river rises and current becomes stronger.