Regatta History

• The idea for the General Clinton Canoe Regatta was conceived by Charles Hinkley and a group of local businessmen in an effort to attract tourism to the local area.
• The General Clinton Canoe Regatta is named in honor of General James Clinton of the 1779 Revolutionary War "Sullivan-Clinton Expedition" down the Susquehanna River.
• In 1963, 2 canoes made a pilot trip down the Susquehanna River from Cooperstown to Bainbridge. This voyage took 18 hours and 25 minutes.
• The first race was held July 4th, 1963 and had 45 entries. Winners finished in 11 hours 45 minutes. Today, the race record is 6 hours 34 minutes, 34 seconds.
• First place prize in 1963 was $200 and today's first place prize is $3000.

• In 1970, over 500 racers completed the 70 mile race with a top prize of $500 and total purse of over $1000. Then in 1975 the race increased to over 1600 paddlers from 17 states and 2 Canadian provinces with thousands of weekend spectators. Today, this international event includes over $25000 in cash and prizes.
• From 1963 to 1971 the finish line was located 1 mile downstream from its present location and was situated near a small parcel of land in Bainbridge known as Dix's flat. In 1972 the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce purchased 45 acres of land bordering the beautiful Susquehanna River, now known as the General Clinton Park and the home of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.
• Boy Scout races were added in 1973 with girl scouts added in 1977 pushing the total number of racers to over 2500.

• In 1980, the 700-mile club was created to honor 10 time regatta endurance finishers, 19 were honored that year and today 179 racers are a part of this elite group. Believe it or not, a 1400-mile club has been developed for 20 time finishers.
• In the early 1980's the total number of racers exceeded 3000.
• In 1986, a high and fast river yielded a new record professional time set by Serge Corbin and Norman Mainguy from Quebec, Canada in 6 hours and 51 minutes.
• 1987, at 30 years of age, Serge Corbin is crowned with his 10th victory and becomes a member of the prestigious 700-mile club.
• In 1990 Serge Corbin and Bruce Barton set a new record for the fastest 70 mile ever finishing in 6 hours, 34 minutes and 34 seconds.
• In 1992 the General Clinton Canoe Regatta becomes the first leg of the Triple Crown of North American canoe racing.
• In 1995, the Canadian Broadcasting Company produces a 30-minute documentary featuring the General Clinton, the Triple Crown, Regatta Champion Serge Corbin and his partner that year, Solomon Carriere.

• In 1997, Canadian Serge Corbin teams with Olympic Gold medallist Greg Barton to win the prestigious 70-miler for the 20th time in as many attempts.
• Also, in 1997, Monday's Pro Race is featured on TransWorld International's "TransWorld Sport."
• In 1997, the General Clinton Canoe Regatta enters cyberspace with an Internet website at www.canoeregatta.org.
• In 1998, Canadian Serge Corbin streaks to another pro C-2 win with partner Normand Mainguy of Gatineau, Quebec in a time of 7:42:19. It was Corbin's 21st win in as many tries and his 14th straight.
• Normand Mainguy's 1998 fifth pro class win puts him 3rd on the all-time General Clinton win list behind Serge Corbin's 21 wins and brother Claude Corbin's 8.
• Also in 1998, pro C-1 canoeist Calvin Hassel of Grand Island, Nebraska wins with a blazing time of 8:27:46, nearly 1/2 hr. ahead of 2nd place finisher Jeff Rankinen of Jersey Shore, PA.
• In 1998, the Triple Crown of North American Canoe Racing is dissolved after 6 years of existence.