Cleveland Metroparks Wants to Reclaim World Canoe Record

With about a month to go, Cleveland Metroparks is looking for help to reclaim the Guinness World Record for the Largest Raft of Free Floating Canoes and Kayaks.

The park district will be at Hinckley Lake in the Hinckley Reservation on Saturday, May 21 for the "Canoe & Kayak Challenge."

Over the years, Cleveland Metroparks has attempted and broken a few Guinness World Records.  On May 19, 2001, Cleveland Metroparks set the "Canoe & Kayak Challenge" record with 776 canoes and kayaks, and on Sept. 23, 2007 set the record for the "Largest Harmonica Play-Along" with 1,965.

For seven years, Cleveland Metroparks proudly held the record for Largest Raft of Free Floating Canoes and Kayaks.  Then, a group from Inlet, NY broke the record in 2008 with 1,104 boats (they plan to attempt to break the record again on Sept. 24, 2011), and the current record was set in June 2010 by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Venture Outdoors with 1,619 canoes and kayaks.

Register today to help bring a world record back to Cleveland Metroparks.  Invite friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. and register at the official website, canoeandkayakchallenge.blogspot.com, or visit any Cleveland Metroparks facility for a registration brochure. 

Registration to participate is $10 per canoe or kayak and $7 per person for additional riders in the canoe or kayak. Proceeds will benefit Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Education Summer Camp Scholarship Fund.

All pre-registered participants will receive a stainless steel water bottle to commemorate this history-setting day.  Pre-registration runs until May 6.

There is day-of registration, but participants are encouraged to pre-register.  The fees increase to $20 per canoe or kayak and $10 per person for additional riders in the canoe or kayak.

Check-in and launching is from 8:30 to 11 a.m., and the "Challenge" is at 11:30 a.m.  Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak, as well as life jackets and paddles. The Ohio Division of Watercraft has agreed to a one-day license waiver for all participants, but all watercraft must meet safety and operation regulations.  Inflatable canoes and kayaks are not allowed as part of the record attempt.

Unloading and launching the boats will take place from the Swimming Area parking lot, off Bellus Road in Hinckley Reservation, between Route 606/Hinckley Hills and State Road in Hinckley Township.  Additional parking and shuttle transportation will be available.  From there, participants will paddle across Hinckley Lake to check-in at the boathouse.  The attempt will take place on Hinckley Lake, just off the shore from Hinckley Lake Boathouse. 

Along with the record attempt, guests can enjoy exhibits from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Canoe Association, and Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors.  The High Adventure Girl Scouts will be selling refreshments near the Boathouse.

Visit EarthWords Nature Shop to browse their great merchandise and order an official "Canoe & Kayak Challenge" T-shirt. 

If you're looking for camping near the event, the Brooklyn Exchange Cabin is offering a limited number of outdoor primitive and indoor cabin camping to canoers and kayakers wanting to stay less than five minutes away from the launch site.  For details and to register, call 216-978-8276 or email exchangecabin@gmail.com.

For more information on the challenge, call 216-635-3200 or go visit the official website.