Community Paddling Events

By Mona Kulkarni Caron

Paddling is one of the most versatile and rewarding ways to connect with water, offering a unique blend of physical activity, mental relaxation, and engagement with nature. Whether you’re gliding across a calm lake or navigating a winding river, paddling allows you to move through water with your own power, fostering a sense of freedom and self-reliance. Paddling with other like-minded people brings a sense of community and shared joy. Check out these community and group paddling events. 

Celebrate Paddling ADK, the Adirondacks’ annual festival honoring the region’s vibrant paddling culture, has returned for its 10th anniversary. Beginning in early May and extending throughout the summer, the festival invites locals and visitors alike to experience more than two months of on-the-water adventures, educational clinics, community service opportunities, and outdoor exploration throughout Saranac Lake. All programming is rooted in a shared commitment to giving back to the paddling community and protecting the waterways that define the Adirondacks. 

Founded in 2016, Celebrate Paddling ADK was created through a collaborative effort among local businesses and organizations passionate about preserving and sharing the region’s paddling heritage. Partners include the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, Raquette River Outfitters, Guide ADK, Boothe River Park, Northwest River Supplies, Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.

The festival kicked off on May 2 with the River Reels Film Fest in Saranac Lake. It served as a fundraiser for Boothe River Park, a proposed river park leveraging Saranac Lake’s rich paddling history and culture, while uniting the area’s recreational attractions and the vitality of the downtown business corridor: bootheriverpark.com. 

Boothe River Park will be a thoughtfully designed area along a river where the flow and structure of the waterway are enhanced to create engaging river features that invite a range of recreational activities. These features will include a low-impact wave, eddies, and current patterns that provide opportunities for paddling, tubing, SUPs, floating, and simply enjoying the water. In addition to water features, it will increase accessibility for all range of users: anglers, paddlers, picnickers, and folks just looking for a relaxing scenic space in the village’s downtown corridor.

To kick-off the paddling season, the ‘Round the Mountain Canoe and Kayak Race & Tour, hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, drew a record 120 boats and 225 paddlers on May 9. For more info on paddling events/races, go to: northernforestcanoetrail.org.

Celebrate Paddling festival highlights include community paddles, boat demo days, river clean-ups, and hands-on clinics designed to help paddlers build confidence.

 Another key event is the Adirondack Paddling Symposium, scheduled for Friday-Monday, June 12-15 in Saranac Lake. Designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers, the symposium offers immersive instruction across multiple disciplines, including kayaking, canoeing, and pack boating. 

With so many beautiful places to explore by paddling, becoming more efficient, gaining confidence, building skills, you’ll further your enjoyment. This was the simple goal when the symposium was founded in 2019. Beginners will have the most to gain from instruction. For the intermediate paddler, you’ll learn how to paddle with your whole body. You’ll learn how your body and boat work together to get the most from yourself. Advanced courses are also available. 

The weekend kicks off with an evening welcome party at the historic Harrietstown Town Hall, followed by two days of classes taking participants to local waterways for instruction, demos and clinics. Throughout the weekend, catered meals are shared. Evening presentations on a variety of topics, plus guests from the paddling industry are around out each day. The final day, Monday, June 15 is an optional “Tour Monday” taking the skills that were learned over the weekend and putting them to practice even further. Lodging and boats are not included. Bring your own paddlecraft or you can rent from a local outfitter. Registration closes on June 1. Learn more and sign up: adirondackpaddlingsymposium.com. 

While the historic Willard Hanmer Guideboat, Canoe, Kayak and SUP Race & Tour on Sunday, July 5 have long marked the festival’s finale, a beloved tradition that brings the paddling community together in a celebration of friendly competition and Adirondack heritage. Whether you’re competing on the water or cheering from the shore, this cherished tradition is a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and outdoor recreation. 

Starting at Lake Flower in Saranac Lake and finishing at the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club, the races/tours feature multi‑class events including guideboats (men’s, women’s, mixed, family, junior); canoes (1–2 person, recreational, C‑4); kayak (1–2 person); and SUPs (Rub‑a‑Dub) divisions. Paddlers may enter multiple events. Costumes are welcome in the Rub-a-Dub division, with a special award for best dressed.

Junior flatwater races/tours follow a looped course. Junior paddlers with parental permission may enter downriver events. New this year, the Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club has generously sponsored all junior class paddler entries this year to introduce more youth to the sport of paddling and paddle racing. All junior participants are still required to register. 

With races for all ages and experience levels, and a festive atmosphere full of music, food, and family fun, this event is the perfect summer day out. Spectators, seasoned paddlers, and first-time racers are all welcome. For details and registration, visit: saranaclake.com/events/hanmer.

“Celebrate Paddling ADK reflects the spirit of community and adventure that defines the Adirondacks,” said Ashley Garwood, Saranac Lake regional manager at ROOST. “We’re excited to welcome both residents and visitors to discover the unique beauty of our local waterways while connecting with the people and organizations who help protect them.”

With a broad range of activities, from races to educational talks and family-friendly outings, Celebrate Paddling ADK truly offers something for everyone. Full event details and the complete schedule are available: celebratepaddlingadk.com.

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor’s annual paddling event, Paddle the Canals: Mohawk River Adventure is a fun, half-day, guided trip on Saturday, June 27. This year’s signature paddling event takes kayakers and canoeists on a seven-mile trip on the Erie Canal and Mohawk River. Starting at Lock E7 Park, enjoy locking through historic lock E7, taking in the beautiful scenery and wildlife along Vischer Ferry Preserve, and paddling under I-87’s Twin Bridges. 

Registration includes shuttle service to the start and lunch afterwards at the Riverview Pavilion at the Colonie Town Park. Paddling starts at Lock E7 Park in Niskayuna at 9am. Capped at 250 paddlers, this event is more than half full and sells out every year. 

This is a fundraiser to support Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor’s programs and initiatives. The event is rain or shine, except for severe weather in which case it will be held on Sunday, June 28.

For those who do not own a boat, kayak rentals are available through Upstate Kayak Rentals. The kayak rental fee is affordable and must be reserved in advance by contactinginfo@upstatekayakrentals.com. Learn more and register: eriecanalway.org.

Looking ahead into July, registration opens 7/1 or the Adirondack Canoe Classic – The 90-Miler – that takes place from Old Forge to Saranac Lake on Friday-Sunday, September 11-13.

Paddling season is here! Build up your skills and confidence and enjoy the camaraderie by signing up for these community events and races. 

Mona Kulkarni Caron (mona@adksports.com) is an editor for Upstate Sports and Vermont Sports, race director for the Good Karma 5K Run/Walk, training mentor for the Run for Women Training Challenge, and enjoys running, biking, hiking, and traveling when she’s not working as the director of trails and stewardship at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.