What is Kiwanis?

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

What do Rotary clubs do?

Members of Rotary clubs provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

GREAT SUWANNEE RIVER RACE
www.SuwanneeRiverRace.com
386-362-3300
info@SuwanneeRiverRace.com

Great Suwannee River Race

In the fall of 2008 a joint meeting of Kiwanis, Rotary, Lion’s and Altrusa clubs was held. The reason for the meeting was to have open discussion about the community and it’s needs. At that meeting a fundraiser was suggested to raise monies for the clubs so they could enhance their service work in a joint manner.

From this meeting came the idea for the Great Suwannee River Race. The race, under the leadership of Race Director John Hill and his team of Kiwanians and Rotarians, has come to fruition through hard work and dedication to the community we serve.

Event Schedule

Saturday, May 22

7 a.m. Rafts -- Registration begins at Camp ‘O The Suwannee Subdivision boat ramp. Rafts launch from the boat ramp and assemble at the starting point, Little River Spring.

7 a.m. Canoes and Kayaks -- Registration begins at Royal Spring boat ramp. Canoes and kayaks launch from the boat ramp and assemble at the starting point north of the Royal Spring Run.

10 a.m. Raft race begins

10 a.m. Canoe/Kayak race begins

1 p.m. Presentation of awards and trophies
Ivey Memorial Park - Branford

Sponsors

  • Kiwanis Club of Live Oak
  • Rotary Club of Live Oak

Directions

Camp ‘O The Suwannee Subdivision - From Hwy 129, go west on CR 248 toward Little River Spring. Turn right onto 246th Trace. The road dead-ends into the boat ramp.

Royal Spring boat ramp - From Branford, take US 129 N to O’Brien. Turn left on S 349 for approx. 11 miles. Turn left at 198th Terrace (look for very small sign). Follow signs to spring and boat ramp.

Children under 18 must be accompanied on the raft or canoe/kayak by a parent.

Safety boats will be patrolling the river during the race.

Race Rules

  1. Rafts:
    1. Must be homemade.
    2. No size requirements, but must have 6 team members wholly on the raft with no parts of the members in the water at the start and at the finish.
    3. No mechanical means of propulsion can be used to propel the vessel or any crewmember.
    4. Each vessel must have a PFD for each crew member and one throwable life saving device per vessel.
    5. Must not cross start line before the starting gun sounds. A 10 minute time penalty will result for each minute violation.
    6. Final time will be officiated when vessel crosses the finish line and a crew member turns in the time card to the timekeeper for validation.
    7. Must not hinder any other participant’s progress in any manner. Any participant may file a protest if their vessel was violated. A penalty ranging from a time penalty to disqualification may be levied. This shall be levied at the sole discretion of the competition director.
    8. Awards for Rafts: 1st, 2nd, 3rd race finish order, most innovative, and best crew spirit.
    9. Competition director certifies the race results.
  2. Canoe/ Kayak:
    1. No vessel requirements/ no crew requirements.
    2. No mechanical propulsion allowed.
    3. Each crew must have a PFD.
    4. Must not cross start line before starting gun.
    5. Cannot hinder any other participant’s progress in any manner. Any participant may file a protest if their vessel was violated. A penalty ranging from a time penalty to disqualification may be levied and is at the sole discretion of the competition director.
    6. Three places will be awarded with trophies 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
    7. Competition director certifies the race results.

Participants may register online or at the respective launch sites. The entry fee will be $25 per vessel. Registration tables will open at 7 a.m.

Rafts will launch at the boat ramp in the Camp ‘O The Suwannee Subdivision.
The gate will be open at 7 a.m. The rafts will assemble at Little River Spring.
The race starts at 10 a.m.

Canoes and Kayaks will launch at the boat ramp at Royal Spring, and will assemble north of the Royal Spring run, which will be the starting point. The race starts at 10 a.m.

The Finish: Each vessel will have a time card issued at registration. The finish stand will be well marked and the participants will disembark (participants must be South of the Branford Springs run in order to disembark) from their vessel at Ivey Memorial Park, Branford, and proceed to the finish stand where their card will be stamped with their official time. The time stamped on the card will determine the finish order.