🚣♂️ This Week in Kayaking & Canoeing: Events, Races, Skills & Trends (June 11–17, 2025)

🚣♂️ This Week in Kayaking & Canoeing: Events, Races, Skills & Trends (June 11–17, 2025)

Whether you're a recreational paddler enjoying calm lake mornings or an endurance athlete training for your next river race, the kayaking and canoeing scene in the U.S. this week offers a dynamic mix of events, community festivals, and evolving trends. From grassroots family races to long-distance Mississippi challenges, paddlesports continue to gain momentum across all skill levels.

Let’s dive into what’s happening on the water — and how you can learn, train, or get involved.

🏁 Featured Events & Races This Week

1. Moorestown Paddle Board/Kayak Race & Family Festival

📅 June 14, 2025 · 📍 Moorestown, New Jersey
This inclusive, family-focused festival returns with multiple race categories: 1-mile and 2-mile kayak races, tandem and SUP heats, and the popular “cardboard raft race.” Held at Strawbridge Lake, the event doubles as a fundraiser for lake preservation.
🛶 Why it matters: Accessible racing that builds community participation, with an emphasis on fun and lake conservation.

2. Mississippi River 12 (MR 12)

📅 June 15, 2025 · 📍 Champlin, Minnesota
This 12-mile paddle challenge on the Mississippi River welcomes both competitive and recreational paddlers, with solo and tandem divisions for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. The event ends in an outdoor expo with vendors, music, and food.
💪 Key takeaway: A great entry point for paddlers seeking to test their endurance on a landmark U.S. waterway.

3. Illinois Paddling Council Mid-Season Marathon Events

📍 Statewide, Illinois · 📅 Mid-June 2025
Races like the Des Plaines Marathon and Voyageur Landing Race challenged hundreds of participants this week. Despite low water levels, paddlers adjusted course and pace. Over 346 boats finished across events.
🌊 Why it’s significant: These events showcase the perseverance and flexibility required in real-world river conditions.

🌱 Trending: Eco-Paddling & Outdoor Education

Environmental engagement is becoming a central theme in U.S. paddlesports. This week, organizations like the Chippewa Nature Center in Michigan offered guided educational kayak trips on the Upper Chippewa River. These outings help connect beginners and families to nature, while emphasizing conservation.

🌎 Pro Insight: Expect more events to blend recreational paddling with ecology-focused learning, clean-up initiatives, and sustainability themes — part of the growing “paddle and pick” movement.

🏆 Rankings & Competitive Highlights

• Recreational Endurance: MR 12 and Illinois races contribute to regional flatwater and marathon paddling standings.

• Whitewater: The North Fork Championship (held last weekend in Idaho) influenced elite rankings in freestyle and Class V river running.

• Slalom & Kayak-Cross: Globally, athletes are currently competing in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, which includes kayak-cross heats that are increasing in popularity and Olympic relevance.

💡 Pro-Level Tips for Beginners and Intermediate Paddlers

Here are five essential skills and tips pulled from both this week’s events and broader paddlesport best practices:

✅ 1. Eskimo Roll

A self-rescue maneuver that allows you to right your kayak after capsizing — essential in whitewater and surf.
🛠 Training Tip: Start in a pool or calm lake with a certified instructor. Use a paddle float if needed.

✅ 2. Draw Stroke

Allows you to move your kayak sideways without turning, which is critical for tight spaces, docking, and maneuvering in races.
📏 Form Tip: Keep your blade vertical and your torso rotating with the stroke — don’t just pull with your arms.

✅ 3. Paddle Into the Wind First

This simple but overlooked tip ensures your return trip is easier when fatigue sets in.
🌬 Use Case: Particularly helpful in lake paddling or coastal excursions with consistent afternoon winds.

✅ 4. Endurance Strategy for River Races

Long-distance races like MR 12 require pacing, nutrition, and technique.
🥤 Checklist:

• Hydrate every 20–30 minutes

• Use energy gels or bars every hour

• Maintain rhythmic paddle cadence with torso rotation

• Train with short intervals to build cardio efficiency

✅ 5. Eco-Conscious Gear & Habits

Events and organizers are pushing for more biodegradable gear, litter-free zones, and reusable hydration options.
♻️ Quick Wins:

• Use a mesh trash bag for river cleanups

• Switch to refillable soft flasks instead of disposable bottles

• Choose paddling gear made from recycled materials

📍 Quick Summary: What to Know This Week