Race Details - Course Description    Schedule of Events    Clinic Schedule

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Course Description

The Novice Race begins in the West Branch of the river, at the MassDOT yard, just off the "Green Bridge" in the center of Huntington. Because the West Branch is uncontrolled, the water conditions vary widely from one year to the next. There is a gravel bar shortly before the West Branch joins the main river that's apt to be scratchy.
Once out in the main river, the paddling is fairly uneventful until you reach the Texon Dam, about 1½ to 2 miles into the race. Watch for the signs directing you to the portage on the left (east) bank. The portage is steep and apt to be slippery.
Once on the downstream side of the dam, be careful of the strong eddying currents as you put in. The river turns sharply to the right almost immediately, with a ledgy outcropping jutting from the outside bank. About a mile downstream, watch for the "Three Sisters" rocks just left of mid-stream. They mark the gateway to the Hill & Dale Rapids - the only class III rapids on the Novice course, under normal race conditions.
If you prefer not to challenge the rapids, watch for the bypass along the right bank, otherwise, choose your line carefully. Once through Hill & Dale, the river turns sharply to the left at Turtle Bend and, with the exception of a large rock on the outside of that turn, offers nothing but riffles down to the millpond behind the Russell Dam.
The river changes direction again, turning right at the top of the mill pond. You'll have to paddle hard to the take-out on the right bank, just above the bridge. The portage at the Russell Dam is fairly long - about 200 yards.
Once past the portage, there are just about 2 miles of class I and II water left before the millpond sprint to the finish.

The Expert Race starts just below Knightville Dam and, due to the controlled release of water, has much more predictable conditions. There are class II rapids throughout most of the course until it joins the Novice Race course in the center of Huntington.
A few notable sections to watch for are: The hard right-hand bend about a half-mile downstream of The Rapids restaurant; the "Drop" in the Gardner State Park gorge - the only class IV section on the race course; "Boulder Patch" - a long stretch of class III rapids, beginning at the Norwich Bridge and continuing for almost a mile to the swinging bridge. The West Branch joins the main river a quarter-mile below the swinging bridge. See the Novice Race description for the balance of the course.

Schedule of Events

Free Paddling Clinics

The following is the schedule of free clinics planned for the 2011 season. The sessions are run by some of the area's finest racers and consist of a short discussion of safety, equipment, and technique followed by guided runs down the entire 8-mile course. The clinics are low key and low-pressure with the goal of increasing paddlers' confidence and control. The clinics are free of charge and are open to novice and intermediate paddlers.

Clinics are subject to cancellation due to weather conditions. Please check this site for changes to the schedule and, if in doubt, call (413) 354-9684 to confirm.

All paddlers are responsible for providing their own equipment and ensuring that it's adequate for the river and weather conditions.

The organizers reserve the right to deny participation to anyone they deem to be a hazard to themselves or to other participants.

All participants are required to wear lifejackets. Wetsuits are recommended.