Short
History
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 and over $25,000 is awarded in prizes over the weekend The Regatta has grown from the one day event to 4 days of canoe races plus many other events; a 5k run, wrestling tournament, carnival rides, entertainment, food, fireworks and more. There are canoe races for young and old, newbies to pros. The General Clinton Canoe Regatta brings racers and spectators from all over the US, Canada, Europe and South America to paddle in this premier canoe racing event. The beautiful upper Susquehanna River valley plays host to this event every Memorial Day weekend and as the event founders hoped does bring visitors to our historical area.Hope to see you in May.
Learn about General James Clinton and the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign of 1779, the Revolutionary War expedition that inspired the naming of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.
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