Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is the largest paddling event in New England, held annually right here in our backyard in Bangor, Maine. Hosted by the Bangor Dept. of Parks & Recreation, the 16.5 mile race begins in the Town of Kenduskeag, winds through farm fields, neighborhoods, and downtown canals before terminating at the confluence of the Penobscot River in downtown Bangor.
The first ten miles of the race are relatively flat and calm, followed by 6.5 miles of scattered Class I, II, and III rapids. The most well-known and treacherous rapid on the route, Six Mile Falls, is known to throw paddlers of all abilities into the jarringly cold April water. Hoards of "river vultures," a term made famous by Maine journalist Bill Greene, gather here to watch the carnage and cheer for their friends and loved ones.
The event is seen as a rite of passage for locals, a fun outing for college students, and a serious competition for paddlers from all over the world. Old Town’s connection to the race run deep: not only are a majority of the canoes used in the race manufactured at our facility 15 miles up the road, the first race, held in 1967, was co-founded by famous canoe designer and long-time Old Town employee Lew Gilman.
GEAR UP
First and foremost, you'll need a watercraft. While all types of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are welcome, we recommend going with the traditional tandem canoe. The model best suited for the race is our famous Discovery 169 canoe. Designed by race co-founder Lew Gilman, this workhorse of a canoe is durable, fast, and suited for both flat and whitewater.
By law, you'll need a life jacket. And don't just throw it in the hull, you need to wear it! Our Riverstream is best suited for canoe paddling, and comes in a variety of colors.
You'll also need some paddles, for this we recommend the Standard T-Grip paddle. It's durable, balanced, and used for white water outfitters all over the world. It's a good idea to bring a spare paddle in case you lose one in the rapids.
To register for the race, please visit the Bangor Parks and Rec website: www.bangorparksandrec.com