Hoigaard's Canoe Derby

Our canoe derby is a series of ten races with divisions for recreational paddlers and experienced  racers. Enter just to have a good time or to hone your competitive skills. You can enter as few as one race or as many as ten. Compete in the same division for at least five races and earn points towards championship standings.

NEW FOR 2011!
In response to the growing popularity of stand-up paddleboards, we have added a new division for SUP's with single-bladed paddles. They will follow the same course as Recreational Canoes and Kayaks. Join in the fun!

When?
Races are ten consecutive Thursday evenings in 2011:
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4

Registration is from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
Races start at 6:45 p.m.

Where?
Races start and end just west of Thomas Beach on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. (At Upton Av. S. and West Calhoun Blvd., in the southwest corner of Lake Calhoun.) 

The race course travels from Lake Calhoun to Lake of the Isles and (for skilled paddlers) to Cedar Lake and back, with several buoy turns.

This is a United States Canoe Association sanctioned race.

Divisions
DERBY: 6 miles; 17’ to 18 1/2’ canoes, excluding USCA Cruisers and pro boats. Men, women, mixed.

RACING: 7 miles; USCA Cruisers & pro boats. Men, women, mixed.

C-1: 7 miles; solo canoes. Men, women.

TRAINING SOLO: 4 1/2 miles; solo canoes. Men, women.

RACE KAYAK: 7 miles; solo kayaks. Men, women.

RECREATIONAL TANDEM: 3 miles; 18’ maximum canoes. Men, women, mixed.

RECREATIONAL KAYAK: 3 miles; solo kayaks with hatches. Men, women.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD: 3 miles; paddleboard with single-bladed paddle.

Equipment
Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards as described above. Single-bladed paddles in canoes and paddleboards, double-bladed paddles in kayaks. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are required.

Hoigaard's brings a trailer of canoes and kayaks to Thomas Beach each week, available for anyone who wants to paddle the Canoe Derby. Availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Awards
Canoe Derby T-shirts are awarded to everyone finishing a race. (One shirt for the series per person.) Ribbons are awarded to the top teams each Thursday. Points for the final championship are awarded on an individual, not team basis. Championship awards at the end of the series go to the top  individuals in each division - determined by the accumulated score of your 5 best races in that division. You must compete 5 times in one division to qualify.

2011 Special Derby Events

• PADDLER’S POTLUCKS - 6/30 and 8/4.  Always a good time! Hoigaard's brings the grill,  you bring a dish to share.
• HOW Nite at the Canoe Derby - 7/14.  Hoigaard's Outdoor Women will be paddling in their own division on this night. (Don't be surprised if they paddle to Tin Fish for a snack!) Contact Linda Lemke for information at lindal@hoigaards.com.
• Barton Challenge Qualifing Race - 7/14. By completing a course in a regional Qualifying Race, paddlers aged 9 to 17 become eligible to compete at the USCA Nationals for the Barton Cup final within the C1 Junior and K1 Junior Marathon Championship races.
• There will not be a Kid's Derby this year.

Entry Fees

Recreational Divisions: $10/race
Recreational Tandem Canoe
Recreational Kayak
Stand-Up Paddleboard  

Race Division: $15/race
Race Canoe
Race Kayak
Derby
C-1
Training Solo

A non-transferable season pass can be purchased for the Race Divisions on two dates: 6.2.11 for $120.00 or 6.9.11 for $105.00. This amounts to two free weeks of racing!

Storm Rules
Race cancellation occurs if there is an official National Weather Service Storm Warning (not Watch) which specifically includes the Twin Cities area and coincides with the times when we would usually be on the water. Sustained wind speeds of 20 mph or more will postpone or cancel a race. If lightning or a severe wind storm occurs during a race, head to shore and consider the race cancelled. All paddlers that start a race must check in at the finish line before leaving.