National canoe races in Lock Haven this weekend

LOCKPORT, PA – Lock Haven this weekend welcomes paddlers to the 2023 U.S. Canoe Association national races. About 100 paddlers from across the U.S., Canada, the UK and beyond, are converging on the area, the Lockport boat launch already teeming with activity on Wednesday.

Youth sprints are scheduled for Thursday, and the adult marathon races will be taking place Friday through Sunday. All of the action is from the Lockport Boat Launch starting at 9:30 each morning.

A few of the early arrivals Wednesday afternoon took part in a more casual event…a biathlon (two-mile run and two-mile paddle), held in memory of long-time paddler Tom Walton. Three-time U.S. Olympian paddler Mike Herbert (sprint kayaker in the 1988, ’92 and ’96 Olympics) and his daughter Savanna Wrights, both from Arkansas (who herself was part of the national U.S. paddling team last year), organized the Wednesday event.

Local tourism officials offered thanks to USCA National Race Directors Deb and Dan Glover of Woolrich, event host the Clinton County Recreation Advisory Committee, and a whole host of fantastic volunteers. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come out and cheer on the guests.