Sunshine and Clear Waters Greets this Year’s 15th Annual Paddlepalooza

On the sunny Saturday morning of June 3^rd, over 70 kayakers and canoers gathered along the banks of the Clinton River at Riverside Park, in Downtown Auburn Hills, for the 15^th Annual Paddleplaooza.   All participants, young and old, were geared up to take the eight-mile trip that ends in Rochester Hills at River Crest Professional Center. 

This year, six men competed in the kayak race, which Richard Ensley won, and six women competed in the kayak race, which was won by Gwenn Stevenson.  Of the five teams that entered the canoe race, David and Violet Fiddes took home the first-place trophy. 

The Auburn Hills team of Mayor Kevin McDaniel and Kailer McDaniel won this year’s Mayor’s Challenge Cup.  This victory extends Mayor McDaniel’s consecutive winning streak to eight.

The remaining paddlers took a slower pace down the river, enjoying the scenic views and wildlife that often gather along the river’s edge each morning.  They were guided and assisted along the way by kayaking specialists from Simple Adventures.

All those involved in this year’s event enjoyed a nice lunch under the pavilion at Rochester University while swapping stories of their journey down the river.   

Race Results

Kayak Race – Men’s Division

1. Richard Ensley 1:44.56
2. Richard Muri 1:46.10 
3. Hans Dengler 1:52.28

Kayak Race – Women’s Division

1. Gwenn Stevenson 1:48.41
2. Kristy Jacobsen 1:55.22
3. Camille Sachez 2:14.02

Canoe Race

1. David Fiddes and Violet Fiddes 1:54.18
2. John Dunivant and Jason Boggs 2:18.37
3. Eddie Tabor and Hudsen Tabor 2:43.20

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 or want to join the CRWC on Saturday, June 17^th, for a 3.84-mile kayaking adventure on the Salt River in New Baltimore, please visit the Clinton River Watershed Councils website at www.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 of this year’s sponsors and supporters:

Shawn Keenan, City Planner