Registration is open now for the 28th annual Run of the Charles canoe
race. Last year there was only one canoe in the women's division of the
relay race (though lots of women on mixed teams). We are almost
guaranteed 2nd place if we can field a team! This is a fun event, as
competitive or leisurely as people want to make it. Because it is a
tandem canoe race, less experienced paddlers can pair with more
experienced paddlers so everyone has a good time. Some of the fun is
finding distinctive headwear so that the exchange crew waiting on the
bank can spot the approaching canoers. I've done this race many times
with my company team.
The race starts on Great Plain Ave. in
Needham and ends at Herter Park in Brighton, with 5 legs, each about 5
miles long. Each paddling leg is about an hour of effort. One leg has
no portages, the others have portages at the exchange points where 4
people can carry the boat, and two have portages within the leg so the
carry has to be done by 2 people only. The first leg takes some
maneuvering skill, as the river is windy and boats are close together.
Here's a summary of the start location, time and distance for each leg.
Leg 1: 8:30 am check-in, 10:00 am start at Great Plain Ave. in Needham/Dedham, 5 miles, no portages
Leg 2: 10:00 am check-in, 11:00 am start at Riverdale Park, Dedham, 5 miles
Leg
3: 11:00 am check-in, 12:00 start at Silk Mill Dam, Newton, Upper
Falls, 2.5 miles, 300 yd 4-person portage at start, 300 yd 2-person
portage in middle
Leg 4: 11:30 am check-in, 12:30 start at Cordingly Dam, Wellesley, 5.4 miles, 1/2 mile 4-person portage at start
Leg
5: 12:30 check-in, 1:30 start at Moody Street Dam, Waltham, 6.1 miles,
1/3 mile 4-person portage at start, 2 ~ 200 yd 2-person portages in
middle
I'd like to get 12 people signed up for this race if we
do it, so we have alternates in case anyone has to drop out at the last
minute (it happens, illness, business trips, etc). If you are
interested, please send email by March 26. Let me know about your
canoeing experience, whether you can paddle stern and steer (well or
only so-so) or would prefer to paddle bow, and whether you want to be
competitive or leisurely (so I only pair competitive people with
competitive people). You can also let me know if you have time
constraints that day (would prefer an early or late leg) and whether
you love or hate portages (most paddlers will do at least one, so start
lifting weights now!). If anyone has a (preferably lightweight)
recreational canoe that could be used in the race, please volunteer it.
If we do get enough people for a team, I will plan two practice
sessions in April on the Charles on Concord Rivers.
For more information, send email to Boston@WomenOutdoors.org.
