A few years ago, recalls Sheepscot River Race organizer Scott Shea, a father/son racing team started yelling and fidgeting precariously about their boat. Mice, which had been nesting
under one of the seats, were scurrying all around the canoe and causing the paddlers great surprise and distress. A rescue boat helped to evacuate the unwanted creatures and the team continued paddling and finished the race.

While this may be one of the more amusing race memories, Shea said that, after 28 years, the race has been a constant series of new challenges and special moments for all involved.

The Sheepscot River Race began in the late 1980s when community activities such as barbecues, games, music, and boat and plane rides, took place following the 4th of July parade. A canoe race was
part of the fun. The racers — adults and children — paddled frantically out to a large mooring ball in the river and back. In 1991, the paddle race changed to a longer 6.2-mile course starting at the Wiscasset waterfront and ending at Sherman Lake in Newcastle. Only for one year, recalls Shea, after the Sherman Lake dam washed out, the race began in Sheepscot and ran the reversing falls down to the Wiscasset waterfront.

Over the years, the race has had its heroes. Bob Dean won a record nine years in a row. (The 2016 race was dedicated to his memory.) Nationally ranked paddlers and well-respected kayak builders have
Press Release taken part, calling the Sheepscot River Race one of their favorites. Twelve years ago, the race was sanctioned by the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) as part of their Flat Water Series, making the race even more appealing to competitive paddlers.

Besides having one of the most scenic race courses in Maine, the Sheepscot River Race now combines national competitors with leisurely recreational paddlers. In 2017, Topsham paddler, Eric McNett, will be defending his titles from 2015 and 2016. McNett averages about 43 minutes over the 6.2-mile course. He paddles a surf ski K-1 racing kayak approximately 20 feet in length and 18 inches in
width. Recreational paddlers may take up to two hours to finish the course.

While categories separate the racing from the recreational participants and the race follows MaCKRO guidelines, everyone is invited to participate, insists Shea, because it’s all about having fun on
the water.

The 2017 Sheepscot River Race will be held on July 4, starting at noon at the Sherman Lake rest area bridge on Route 1 in Newcastle, and finishing at the recreational pier on Water Street in Wiscasset
Village. At the end of the race, awards and prizes from Seaspray Kayaking are given out. From noon to 3 p.m., race participants and visitors are invited to enjoy live music – the Marshall Nelson Trio – and a fired-up grill tended by local community organizations.

Registration to participate in the race is currently open and continues until shortly before the race begins. Registration fee is $12 in advance or $15 on the day of the race. For more information and
registration application, visit www.mackro.org or www.seaspraykayaking.com/events-at-seaspray . With advance notice, MaCKRO will provide kayaks and equipment to youths who want to take part.

The race is sponsored by Seaspray Kayaking in Freeport, Maine and co-sponsored by the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Scott Shea at info@seaspraykaying.com or 207-751-3450.