By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON -- The 54th running of the Rushton Memorial Races and Canton Canoe Weekend is set for May 2-3 featuring events for every type of paddler in a wide range of canoes and kayaks.

Events geared primarily for the local weekend paddler are Saturday morning's Modern Rushton starting at 9:30 a.m., the Downriver Rushton starting at 4 p.m. and the Rushton Relay Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

“Since the 50th Rushton races we’ve had veterans and Wounded Warrior discounts and have had a handful of competitors…and we are continuing with it again this year,” said race organizer Chuck Bolesh.

Veterans receive a discount on all entry fees and Wounded Warriors compete for free. The event for veterans is suited for those who have paddled before or who are physically active in other sports.

Organizers suggest that new paddlers and Wounded Warriors participate in the May 2 Saturday morning event which has a variety of distance options. The Sunday afternoon relay would also be appropriate. Canoes, kayaks, lifejackets, paddles all can be made available for wounded warriors. There are experienced paddlers who will assist and partner as needed. To ensure a good fit for the needs of paddlers with challenges, call Chuck at 244-3712.

“He (Rushton) changed the face of canoeing by building lightweight durable boats that move efficiently in the water,” Bolesh said.

The namesake of the Rushton Tour is J. Henry Rushton, a boat builder in Canton from 1843 to 1906. His canoe designs were much in demand during a canoeing craze in the U.S. during the period. Rushton also was one of the people responsible for getting the village’s water system built, having served on Canton’s water and sewer board in the late 1800s.

“Last year the water was scary…so this year all races are down river between Taylor Park and Pyrites,” he said.

Stand up paddle-boarders (SUP) can compete in their own one and three-mile events on Saturday May 2. This will be the inaugural SUP race event in the area and a chance to try out those boards and long paddles.

“They look like huge surfboards. It is a short race but we wanted to offer something new,” he said.

Professional races will compete for a $4,500 pro purse at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday during the C-1 Pro Race, which is 14 miles long. Register by noon. There will also be a C-1 and K-1 Amateur Marathon that is 12 miles long.

“We have racers that come in from Canada, Pennsylvania, a large group from Michigan and a multi-time national champion from Nebraska,” he said.

About 250 people compete each year with many participating in multiple races.

“The 12 and 14-mile races are highly respectable across the racing circuit.” Bolesh said.

The Saturday morning Rushton Recreational races have a bit of something for almost every type paddler, especially families and young paddlers. One-mile youth events; SUP's; solo canoes and kayaks; tandem canoes with teams of men, women, mixed, families, adult/youth; War canoe/Voyagers with 6-8 paddlers and 4-person canoes.

Teams of six paddlers in the Rushton Relay will churn the waters near Taylor Park on Sunday afternoon May 3. Many will be in costume as they seek to win coveted “best costume” prizes with values up to $200.

“We’ve reached out to student affairs at the local colleges and the Little River School to get more teams involved, Bolesh said.”

Bring a new paddler to the races and receive a 2 for 1 entry fee discount. Limited to first 20 registered that apply for the discount.

Taylor Park will be decked out with tents, concessions, paddlers and spectators.

“The best spectator viewing spot for the pro races Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning is at the Little River Bridge on County Route 27…people can see the racers go under the bridge, paddle for about a mile and half before turning around and paddling back past the spectators,” Bolesh said.

Information about joining the St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers group and entry forms are available at www.slvpaddlers.org/.

For detailed questions contact Chuck at 244-3712 or bolesh1@gmail.com.