Paddlepalooza 2024 Race Results

Posted on: June 7, 2024

Last Saturday, June 1st, was sunny with few clouds and the perfect temperature for our 16th Annual Paddlepalooza Kayak and Canoe Race. Over 70 kayakers and canoers prepared themselves at Riverside Park for their 8-mile journey on the Clinton River ending at River Crest Professional Center.

This year, there were seven men and four women who competed in the Kayak races: our winners were Robert Michalec and Gwenn Stevenson. Of the three teams that entered the Canoe race, the father-daughter duo, David Fiddes and Elise Wemerhartt took the first-place trophy. The Rochester Hills team of Mayor Bryan Barnett and Jason Carlock won this year’s Mayor’s Challenge Cup.

Men’s Division Kayak Race

1st place- Robert Michalec 1:06:19
2nd place- David Ives 1:12:36
3rd place- Richard Ensley 1:15:00

Women’s Division Kayak Race

1st place- Gwenn Stevenson 1:20:11
2nd place- Andrea Donellon 1:24:24
3rd place- Tina Puma 1:29:46

Canoe Race

1st place- David Fiddes & Elise Wemerhartt 1:24:41
2nd place- Joel Frost & Cameron Kniffen 1:48:58
3rd place- Bryan Barnett & Jason Carlock 1:54:00

For the paddlers participating in the adventure paddle, the river was flowing at a brisk pace as they went under bridges and around Innovation Hills Park. These paddlers were guided by kayaking specialists from Simple Adventures.

Everyone enjoyed a nice lunch provided by The Mean Weenies at Rochester University and lemonade provided by Texas Roadhouse of Auburn Hills.

To learn more about kayaking and canoeing the Clinton River and all the access points along the river, please visit the Clinton River Watershed Council’s Water Trail Map at crwc.org.

If you’re interested in learning to kayak or want to get out on the water but don’t have a watercraft, please visit Simple Adventures website at www.simpleadventures.net. Their team of ACA-certified kayak and stand-up paddleboard instructors can get you out on the water and provide safe and friendly instructions on how to kayak and paddleboard on the waters with more confidence.

A special thank you to all this year’s sponsors and supporters: