11th Annual Paddlepalooza Race and Adventure River June 1

11th Annual Paddlepalooza Race and Adventure River Paddle On Clinton River From Auburn Hills To Rochester Hills

The City of Auburn Hills and the City of Rochester Hills are proud to announce that they are once again collaborating for the 11th Annual Paddlepalooza. Paddlepalooza is an annual canoe/kayak race and adventure river paddle down the Clinton River on Saturday, June 1.

Participants will launch their watercraft starting at 8:30 a.m. with the men and women’s kayak race, followed at 8:45 a.m. by the two-person canoe race, then the adventure paddle at 9:00 a.m. The event begins from the banks of Riverside Park (corner of Auburn and Squirrel Roads in downtown Auburn Hills) and will finish at River Crest Banquet Center (900 West Avon Road in Rochester Hills).

“Auburn Hills is proud to be defending the Mayor’s Cup title for the fifth the straight year, and we are hoping for another repeat win. I hope that Mayor Barnett has been training for this event. The Clinton River helps add to the sense of community by connecting our two cities and neighborhoods, and improves the quality of life for all of our residents and visitors. It’s one of my favorite events of the summer,” said Mayor Kevin McDaniel.

The 2019 event offers three paddling activities to choose from an eight-mile one-person kayak race; an eight-mile, two-person canoe race; or an eight-mile adventure river paddle. The races and river paddle all conclude near the patio at the River Crest Banquet Center overlooking the river where lunch will be served and awards will be presented from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for each race class, and participants will receive lunch and an event shirt.

The registration fee is $20, and participants are strongly encouraged to preregister. The event is not recommended for beginner paddlers because the river can be considered a difficult Class III rating at certain times of the year. Participants must be at least 12 years of age and an adult must accompany all paddlers under the age of 18. Personal flotation devices are required. The rain date is June 15, 2019.

“Paddlepalooza is one of the premier river events in Southeast Michigan. I love participating each year and I enjoy hearing the stories of new participants enjoying the beauty of the river for the first time. This year I hope to end the streak and bring the Mayor’s Cup back to Rochester Hills where it rightfully belongs,” said Mayor Bryan Barnett.

Event rules as well as details about what to wear, canoe and kayak rentals, parking and shuttle service, and registration and waiver forms are available at the Auburn Hills website and the Rochester Hills website, or by calling the Auburn Hills Recreation Department at 248-370-9353.