Name: 2023 Great River Race
Start: 2023-07-30T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2023-07-30T13:00:00-04:00

This event has passed.

July 30, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

2023 Logo by Lily Callow, a Junior in the Design and Visual Communications Program at South Shore Technical High School.

It was a Perfect Day for the 2023 NSRWA Great River Race!

It was a beautiful day for the 33^rd Annual Great River Race! The weather was definitely in our favor with low temperatures and humidity. This year there were 130 boats and 151 paddlers including stand up paddle boards. Some of the participants raced, and some took a leisurely paddle down the river. There were even some best decorated vessels. The best decorated prize went Josh and Rachel Hoch for their environmentally themed boat encouraging people to plant native plants for pollinators, with a no wake sign on the back to encourage people to protect our rivers.

The fastest boat was Joel Pekoszin the Kayak Racing Male division with an amazing time of 49:17! Click here to see all the times for the racers.

We are so thankful to our FundRacers who helped us raise funds to support our outdoor programming. The FundRacers raised nearly $1,500. The top fundraiser was George Baumgarten of Cohasset. There’s still time to lend your support, simply go to our website and make your pledge.

Thank you to all of our corporate sponsors (see below), please go to our website and support them with your business. A special thank you to the Marshfield and Pembroke Fire and Police, Norwell Police, and Hanover Police for keeping all the racers safe. And thank you to all the volunteers, we couldn’t have done this without you!

And be sure to check out all the photos on Facebook.

Join Us for the 33rd Annual Great River Race!

Come join us on the North River and experience one of the most beautiful rivers in Massachusetts. This awesome 7.5 mile race starts at Bridge Street Canoe Launch in Norwell and ends at Indian Head Road in Hanover. Click here to see race map.

Get competitive and race your friends, or take it at your pace and enjoy this outstanding view of the river. All skill levels, from novice to racer, are invited to take part in the race and all ages are welcome (Participants age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Any type of non-motorized water craft is eligible to enter the race – even stand-up paddle boards! There is also the “Best Decorated Boat or Boater” division for the less serious, but creative paddler.

Funds raised through the Great River Race directly support NSRWA’s environmental education and outdoor programs. Our programs are the perfect way for children and adults to fall in love with and protect local natural treasures, especially our waters. Help us to get 2,500 children and adults outdoors to explore nature and have an experience they’ll never forget!

COST
This year’s Great River Race is $55 for the first participant per craft if preregistered by Friday, July 28 at 12:00 noon. Day of registration will be $65 for the first participant per craft. Each additional participant on the same craft is $10. FundRacers race FREE when they raise $150 or more. Each registration includes the collectible Great River Race T-shirt. Additional T-shirts will be available for purchase. In the event of a severe weather cancellation there will be no rain date or refund, you will receive your collectible event T-shirt, and the registration fee will be a donation to support environmental education. All participants (including minors under 18 years of age) must have a signed waiver to participate in the race. The waiver is in the registration form.

Make a Donation to Support Our Environmental Education and Outdoor Programs

Become a Corporate Sponsor

Racers get:

A FREE ice cream coupon for JC’s Ice Cream in Hanover ($4 Value)
A custom collectible 2023 Great River Race T-shirt
A FREE beer from IndieFerm for those participants over 21 years of age.
Free admission to the afterparty on July 30 including food, ice cream, games, and more!

Divisions

The divisions are:

Rowing (Sliding Seat Single)
Rowing (Fixed Seat Double)
Rowing (Fixed Seat Single)
Stand Up Paddle Board (Men)
Stand Up Paddle Board (Women)
Racing Kayak
Kayak Single (Men)
Kayak Single (Women)
Kayak Double (All)
Canoe Double (Men)
Canoe Double (Women)
Canoe Double (Mixed M/F)
Canoe Family (At least 1 child under age 16)
Canoe Single
Senior Division 65+
Best Decorated Boat or Boater (Submit your photo)

Join our FundRacers!

Whether you are making a donation or joining us as a FundRacer, you are supporting clean waters and healthy rivers! Funds raised directly support NSRWA’s efforts to get 2,500 people outdoors, which is the perfect way to fall in love with and protect nature, especially our local waters.

Here’s a sample of what funds raised will make possible:

$25 gets one child in FISH School as a citizen scientist
$50 gets one child on an outdoor adventure with our environmental educator
$100 gives one child the chance to become an Estuary Explorer

FundRacers who raise at least $150 get FREE registration, plus there will be awards and prizes for the top 3 FundRacers. Thank you for doing your part to protect our local waters!

By becoming a FundRacer for the NSRWA, you’ll be paddling to save our local waters and rally your family, friends and networks to support your efforts and NSRWA’s mission. With your help, we’ll be able to get more people outdoors to protect our local waters, and you’ll help your friends feel good about doing good.

Starting a fundraiser is easy to do and it’s fun. We’ll give you all the tools you’ll need to make a difference locally. With your help, we will raise funds to get more people outdoors to connect with nature, because we protect what we love!

Help us save our local waters for everyone, for good!

Click here to sign-up as a FundRacer (your registration is FREE with your fundraising goal of $150 or more)

Registration

All skill levels, from novice to racer, are invited to paddle in the 33rd Annual Great River Race and all ages are welcome. (Participants age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)
Any type of non-motorized watercraft is eligible to enter the race – even stand-up paddle boards!
There is also the “Best Decorated Boat or Boater” division for the less serious, but creative paddler.

This year’s Great River Race is $55 for the first participant per craft if preregistered by Friday, July 28 at 12:00 noon. Day of registration will be $65 for the first participant per craft. Each additional participant on the same craft is $10.

The race is scheduled for Sunday, July 30 with a 9:00am start. All participants should arrive for check-in between 7:30-8:15am. The race will start promptly at 9:00am. The starting line is at the Bridge Street Canoe launch in Norwell. The finish line is at the Washington Street Bridge (7.5 miles from the Launch). Take out is at the Hanover Canoe Launch.

All participants (including minors under 18 years of age) must have a signed waiver to participate in the race. Waiver is in registration form.

Details and Rules

Start/Finish

Start at the Bridge Street put-in in Norwell. Finish at the Washington Street Bridge in Hanover (7.5 miles). Take out is at the Hanover Canoe Launch in Hanover (another 1 mile).
All participants should arrive for check-in between 7:30-8:15am.
Click here to see race map.
All paddlers must complete the race course in under 3 hours in order to avoid the tide turning.

Rules

Life jackets are required by the US Coast Guard and must be worn throughout the race
All participants MUST have a signed waiver to participate in the race.

In addition to the above race requirements it is strongly recommended that each racer/participant watch the following paddling safety video and follow the applicable recommendations below:

If you there is sudden thunderstorm get to shore immediately and seek shelter in a building if possible if not stay low to the ground – do not seek shelter under a tree;
Bring a protected, charged cell phone or other communication device;
Race with a paddle buddy (someone who can accompany you in their own kayak/vessel);
Let someone know when you start and finish the race;
Bring an extra paddle or paddle float, a bailer, and flotation for your kayak, if needed;
Water, snacks, & extra clothes in a dry bag.

Awards Celebration

Awards Celebration

All paddlers are invited to join us after the race as the fun continues at Ludden’s Ford Park (just a short walk from the takeout). The party will start at 11:00am with awards given around 12:00pm. Awards will be given in each category. There will be FREE food, ice cream, games, and more, plus a FREE beer from IndieFerm for those participants over 21 years of age.

End of Race Transportation

On race day, Sunday, July 30, transportation will be offered, free of charge, from the take out point to the racers’ vehicles after the live race from 10:15am-1:15pm. This is from the take out point at the Hanover Launch to the racers’ vehicles next to the race start line by the Bridge Street put-in in Norwell.