Rowers gearing up for 22nd annual Elk River Challenge Saturday

Participants can choose between three and seven mile courses

August 1, 2017 9:00 pm
Photo by Jon Harwood Competitors in last year’s Elk River Challenge battle it out under the Elk River Bridge near Brady’s Oysters.
Photo by Jon Harwood Competitors in last year’s Elk River Challenge battle it out under the Elk River Bridge near Brady’s Oysters.

Rowers and paddlers will descend on the Elk River Estuary for Sound Rowers and Paddlers’ 22nd annual Elk River Challenge Saturday.

Canoes, kayaks, row boats, rowing shells, stand-up paddle boards, pedal boats, basically any water craft powered by a human can participate in the race. There are two courses available, one three miles, another seven miles. Both start on the beach at Brady’s Oysters on the west end of the Elk River Bridge on State Route 105 north of the bridge and skirt most of the estuary.

Races begin at 11 a.m. Saturday; registration opens at 9 a.m. at Brady’s Oysters, followed by a pre-race meeting at 10 a.m. The registration fee is $15 for in-person registration or $10 if you register online at soundrowers.org. At the conclusion of the races, ribbons for first through third places in different categories will be given to the speediest rowers.

Racers are required to have a personal floatation device and a whistle. Rowers under the age of 18 must fill out a parental permission form to be presented at check-in. There’s also one on line at the Sound Rowers website. Brady’s Oysters is located at 3714 Oyster Place in Aberdeen; after you cross the Elk River Bridge take the first right and the following right.