2024 Great River Race

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

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)

• All skill levels, from novice to racer, are invited to paddle in the 34th 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, August 16 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, August 18 with a 10:00am start. All participants should arrive for check-in between 8:30-9:30am. The race will start promptly at 10:00am. 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 14 years of age) must have a signed waiver to participate in the race. Waiver is in registration form.

REGISTER HERE.

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 8:30-9:30am.
• 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

• A US Coast Guard approved life jacket is required 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

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 12:00pm with awards given around 1:00pm. 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.

On race day, Sunday, August 18, transportation will be offered, free of charge, from the take out point to the racers’ vehicles after the live race from 11:15am-2:15pm. 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.