To get a push from the outgoing tide, the Sheepscot River Race on Saturday, June 30, will start at 3 p.m. at the Sherman Lake Rest Area on Route 1 in Newcastle. All paddlers are invited to participate – from from youth to seasoned, recreational and competitive, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. It’s a day for enjoying the river and participating in, or watching, this fast-paced race.

Registration starts at noon in Newcastle and stays open until just before the race begins. The six-mile course finishes at the recreational pier in Wiscasset village. According to race organizer Scott Shea, “This is one of the most scenic race courses with four miles of moving water meandering through beautiful protected marshes and riverbanks.” The last two miles are in the open waters of Wiscasset harbor where winds and waves present new challenges to racers within sight of the finish line.

The first Sheepscot River Race was held 29 years ago as part of the Wiscasset Recreation Department’s summer programming. It’s now a qualifying race for the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO). It’s their rules, says Shea, which guide the race. Participation in the race has changed over time, too. Originally, only a few competitive racers took part, but now it’s a professional race that also includes recreational paddlers. The most competitive racers finish in about 42 minutes, Shea explained, while the more casual participants finish in about two hours. At the end of the race, awards and prizes from Seaspray Kayaking and local Wiscasset businesses are given out along with watermelon, applause, and a lot of camaraderie.

The Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating race day activities on the recreational pier, located on Water Street, which will include music by the Marshall Nelson Trio beginning at 1 p.m., a fired-up grill hosted by the Wiscasset Yacht Club, seafood specialties offered by Sarah’s Café, and an Open Mic concert featuring local bands and performers from about 5 to 8 p.m. 

The registration fee to participate in the race is $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the race; the fee for youth under 17 is $5. For more information and registration application, visit www.seaspraykayaking.com. With advance notice, Seaspray Kayaking will provide kayaks and equipment to youth and $10 rentals for adults who wish to participate. The public is invited to watch the race from the recreational pier and enjoy the entertainment at no charge.

The race and pier activities are organized by Seaspray Kayaking in Brunswick, Maine, and the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber member sponsors include Carriage House Gardens, Casey’s Wood Products, Chesterfield Associates, Commonwealth Financial Group, Cunningham Security Systems, First Federal Savings, Freedom Fellowship Church, Greg’s Used Cars, Grover Auto & Tire, H.T. Winters Co., Marine Parts Express, Sarah’s Café, Servpro of Bath Brunswick, Sheepscot River Marine Service, Soule, Soule & Logan, and Wiscasset Self Storage. For more information about the race, contact Scott Shea at info@seaspraykaying.com or 207-751-3450.