New York Paddle Champs

The New York Paddle Champs is an exciting event that brings together racers from all regions to compete for a coveted State Champion Jacket, title of Best Paddling Region in New York, and $5000 in cash and prizes! Organized by passionate and motivated members of the New York paddesport community, this championship event promises a thrilling day of racing on (mostly) flat water. Race participation is not limited to NY based athletes. Anyone can enter and compete for the win in their division, plus cash and swag.

There is no additional charge to register for the second race if you choose to race in both the morning and afternoon. This allows paddlers to compete in multiple disciplines to get the full experience, at a reasonable price. A discount will be applied at checkout.

Prizes
The event offers a range of competitive categories for participants, and a State Champion Jacket will be presented to the top performers in each category (men's/woman's/mixed), plus cash, and prizes for select categories. The awards breakdown is as follows.

• C1 Open/Stock: Winners of each category will get a State Champion Jacket (men's, and woman's).
• C2 Open/Stock, and K1 Open/Sport: Winners of each category will get a State Champion Jacket (men's, woman's, and mixed).
  • Top 3 in C2 Open/Stock will win $200, $150, and $100 (men's, women's, and mixed).
  • Top 3 in K1 Open/Sport will win $100, $75, and $50, (men's, and women's).
  • Top 10 overall across all classes will win $100, $90, $80, etc.
  • Placing top 3 in class makes you ineligible for the overall payout, i.e. no double dipping. This is to spread the payout further back into the field.
  • A bonus will also be paid out to age categories. i.e. Masters, Veterans.
• Recreational + C4: Timed race, plus podium photo op for top 3 performers

Course Details
On site registration opens at 8:30 AM, pre-race briefing at 9:15 AM.
The 9:30 AM race will consist of two counterclockwise laps around Klein Island, plus parade laps, for a total of ~5 miles.

The 12 PM race will consist of a parade lap, an up-and-back segment towards Baldwinsville, an optional short portage in the second parade lap, and finishing with a loop around Klein Island. Total distance is ~11 miles.

See Course Maps for detailed info. *Subject to change depending on weather conditions. Final decision will be announced during the pre-race briefing.*

Whether you're a seasoned paddler looking to prove your prowess or a newcomer eager to join the New York paddlesport community, the New York Paddle Champs event promises an exhilarating day of competition and camaraderie. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your talents, and also compete for the title M3of the Best Paddler, and Region in New York!

Personalized jackets will be presented at the end of season NYPRA banquet.
Total cash prizes subject to change depending on number of entries and sponsorship revenue.
You can opt to skip the portage and do a short buoy tour instead.

1. There is ample free parking immediately across the park road from the registration tent. In the unlikely event of the lot filling up, racers can drop off their boat before parking in the overflow lot at the SU/Chargers boathouse.
   
   
2. Please show up an hour before event start to check in and pick up your race packet. 8:30 AM for the morning races, and 11 AM for the afternoon races.
   
   
3. Please click this link, or scan the QR code below to sign the waver.
   
   
4. If you have a NYPRA race number, that can be used in lieu of an event specific number.
   
   
5. Apply race numbers on the front left bow of your boat. Please try to remove or cover up any additional race numbers to avoid confusion.
   
   
6. There will be a pre race briefing 15 minutes before event start, at 9:15 AM for the morning races, and 11:45 AM for the afternoon races.
   
   
7. USCG approved lifejacket and whistle for each competitor must be in the boat and easily accessible.
   
   
8. Line up between the buoy and timing dock, facing upstream towards Onondaga lake/city of Syracuse. Start on the race officials signal.
   
   1. Morning racers will paddle .3 miles upstream and make a counter clockwise turn around the far right green bridge abutment, and return past the start/finish line. After going under John Glenn Boulevard bridge, stay right at the junction and proceed to the main channel of the Seneca river. After arriving at the river, turn left and go upstream .4 miles. Take another left turn and enter the upper channel around Klein Island. Take a right turn under the John Glenn Boulevard bridge, go past the start/finish line. Continue on and complete a second identical lap. The race ends at the start/finish line, facing upstream towards Onondaga lake/city of Syracuse.
      
      
   2. Afternoon racers will paddle .3 miles upstream and make a counter clockwise turn around the far right green bridge abutment, and return past the start/finish line. After going under John Glenn Boulevard bridge, stay right at the junction and proceed to the main channel of the Seneca river. After arriving at the river, turn left and go upstream 3.5 miles. At the railroad bridge, take a left hand turn around the abutment and proceed back downstream. Make a right turn into the upper channel around Klein Island, and go back under the John Glenn Boulevard bridge. Go .3 miles past the start/finish line, turn counter clockwise around the far right green bridge abutment, go back towards the start/finish line, and exit river right at the marked optional portage* location. Re-enter the river, and complete one full counter clockwise lap around Klein Island. The race ends at the start/finish line, facing upstream towards Onondaga lake/city of Syracuse.
      
      
9. See Course Map for an overview of the course.
   
   
10. Awards will be given out after the morning race and afternoon races.
    
    
11. In case of inclement weather, the race director reserves the right to modify, delay or cancel the race. If out on the course and you encounter wind, waves, lighting, hail, or any other hazardous conditions, please exit the river and don't re-enter until it is safe to do so.
    
    *If you choose to skip the portage, go around the two start/finish line buoys instead. 

If your organization is interested in sponsoring the race, check out this document outlining the levels, and benefits of joining the sponsorship team. Your contribution is instrumental for the event to take place, and is greatly appreciated.

Any questions can be directed to the Race Contact Info section under Race Info.

Made possible by Valued sponsor MFR Engineering, PLLC.

Click here for detailed the MapMyRun track of 9:30 AM 5 mile course.

Click here for the detailed MapMyRun track of the 12 PM 11 mile course.

Q - When and where is the race?
A - Morning race start at 9:30 AM on June 15th, 2024, afternoon race start at 12 PM. Parking, check in, start, and finish are all at the Onondaga Lake Park Public Canoe and Kayak Launch in Liverpool, NY. Exact address is 2152 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13090.

Q - What types of boats are allowed to race?
A - All human powered craft have a place in the race. See the specific categories in the Event Info section, and if you are still unsure of which event to select, contact the race director by filling out a Question under the Race Contact Info subsection of the Race Info page. If you don't see a category specific to the boat you wish to race, please let us know. If we receive 3 or more requests for a boat type, the category will be added and a Champions Jacket given to the winner. If approved, your registration will be moved to the new category. In the meantime, please consider registering under the Recreational category.

Q - How much will it cost to race?
A - It varies by class, age group, and if you are a member of NYPRA. If you choose to register for 2 races, the second race is free. Exact cost is shown at checkout.

Q - Are refunds allowed?
A - No, currently refunds are not allowed.

Q - Do I have to be a NYPRA member to race?
A - You do not need to be a NYPRA member to race.

Q - Do I have to live in New York to race?
A - No. Anyone, from anywhere, can race.

Q - Will there be on site registration?
A - Yes. A QR code for online registration will be displayed at the check-in tent for on site registration. It is encouraged to use the online system, however no racer will be turned away if you are struggling to register online.

Q - I am racing C2/C4 or in another multi person boat. How do we register?
A - First, coordinate with your partner(s) and have one person Create a New Team during the registration process. Then, everyone else register, and click Join an Existing team. You can also join a team under the Teams section of the website after registering. Team captains can also change partners/classes by editing the team, or you can leave and join another team.

Q - Are life jackets required?
A - Yes, a life jacket and all other safety equipment required by law has to be in the boat. It is strongly encouraged to wear a lifejacket, especially if you are not a strong swimmer or a novice paddler.

Q - What is the race course like?
A - Specific course information will be discussed at the pre-race briefing. This is the course map, and a detailed description is under the Athlete Guide section of the site.

Q - Are there restroom facilities?
A - Yes. There will be a porta john at the start/finish, and the park has restrooms near the Wegmans Good Dog park, and the Willow Bay park area.

There are various viewing locations along the race course. The best spots are along the north side of the lake outlet in Onondaga Lake park, stretching between Lake Outlet bridge, and Cold Springs Road bridge. Additionally, on the north side of the Seneca River there is a State DEC boat ramp, and The Tiki Bar on Hays Road. There is a riding/jogging path following the river if you bring a bike or running shoes and would like to get in some exercise. There is also a dog park at the north end of the park, if you bring your dog and want to give them some exercise and fun hanging out with other dogs.

Start/Finish line and Onondaga Lake park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HpNA11dcKcXD9ygn8
Wegman's Good Dog Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cZR3vahVG34hGCQp9
State boat ramp: https://maps.app.goo.gl/peyfDsxWfdkQXWRu7
The Tiki Bar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/scJvBSTujfCgXXGF8

As an added bonus to a fun day of racing, the title of Best Paddling Region in New York will be determined. Racers will be grouped by geographical region, including Downstate, Capital Region, Western, and Northern New York.

The region with the lowest combined finishes across all categories (i.e. first places) will win bragging rights of Best Paddling Region in New York! Recognition and a plaque will be presented at the annual NYPRA banquet.

This special race within a race is made possible by NYPRA. Be sure to check them out at www.nypra.org, and support the cause by becoming a member.