Peshtigo River to host National
Canoe-Kayak Championships, Aug. 8-13
by Jerry Harpt One of the biggest silent sport showdowns this summer will take place on the Peshtigo River in northeastern Wisconsin with the running of the 39th annual USCA National Canoe and Kayak Championships.
More than 700 high intensity paddlers, many of them national, Olympian and international champions, will take on the heat, their inner selves and the wild and unpredictable Peshtigo River during a week of self-preservation and
rivalry. They'll hail from New York, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and – like Serge Corbin, possibly the best canoe racer ever – from Canada.
While the Peshtigo River is home to the annual Peshtigo River Canoe Race, this will be the first year the river serves as the site of Nationals and Pre-Nationals. The nearby Menominee River has been the site of the Nationals on three occasions in the 39-year history of the event.
The 2006 Nationals will run August 8-13 with 13 to 17
events held daily. That's a far cry from the first Nationals in 1973 when there were just six race categories.
The expanded list of categories include one-man canoes (C-1), two-man canoes (C-2), kayaks and six-person outriggers. Events include orienteering, sprints, biathlon (canoeing and running combined) and races as long as 16 miles. The marathon winners are usually clocked at around two hours.
There are male and female categories, women's categories and mixed (men and
women) categories. The age groups now range from the grandmaster veterans (80 and over) down to fledging 5- to 7-year-olds. There is even a category for the physically challenged in outriggers – the USCA version of Special Olympics.
Marinette County is a magnet for canoeing and whitewater rafting with wild rivers like the Peshtigo and the Menominee. According to race chairman Everett Crozier, an eight-time national canoe champion, "The Menominee River has hosted the national
championships three times and the Peshtigo River will take center stage for the first time this year."
On August 12, recreational canoe and kayakers from Marinette, Oconto and Menominee counties will be able to compete for local bragging rights.
All events will finish at Badger Park in Peshtigo that will also serve as race headquarters. Wisconsin brats, ice cream and much more will be available there from the Peshtigo Chamber of Commerce.
There are other area attractions
for nonpaddlers, too. With 14 waterfalls to visit, Marinette County is the Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin. Within earshot of the finish line is the Peshtigo Fire Museum and Memorial Cemetery. Less than 10 miles away is the Menominee historic waterfront with its unique lighthouse and upscale Great Lakes marina. And only 50 miles away, the bronze statues of Vince Lombardi, Bart Star and Curly Lambeau greet visitors outside the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field.
Warm-up
races to the Nationals, the Pre-Nationals, will also take place on the Peshtigo River June 24-25. The date coincides with the Menominee River Century Bike Ride, the most popular metric century in the upper Midwest. Part of the ride skirts the Peshtigo River, giving bikers and canoe racers a chance to be participants and spectators at the same time.
There is a load of local lodging possibilities, including Green Acres, a paddle's throw from the Peshtigo River, which is offering family
camping with electricity for $10 a night.
For more information, go to www.peshtigoriverpaddlers.com; call Everett Crozier at 715/735-9763 or Joe Johnson at 906/863-8101.
Jerry Harpt is a retired school teacher and coach who bides his time as a travel and outdoor writer. He's an avid silent sports enthusiast who cross-country skis, bikes, kayaks and hikes.
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