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Southeast

EVENTS

Ultimate Florida Challenge,
March 1-30
This race circumnavigates Florida in five stages.The first stage starts at Fort Desoto in Tampa Bay along with the Annual Everglades Challenge. At Key Largo you turn north and head for Sebastian Inlet. From there you go to the farthest northeast corner of Florida at Fort Clinch. Then it's about 90 miles upstream on the St. Marys River to St. George. At St. George you begin the infamous 40-mile portage to the Suwannee River at Fargo. After about 220 miles down river you are back in the Gulf of Mexico - next stop Cedar Key. The final sprint from Cedar Key finishes back at Fort Desoto. It's hard to predict which stage will be the toughest since weather will be a factor, but watch out for the 40-mile portage between the St. Mary's River and the Suwannee River - it's a heart breaker.

Although the deadlines allow just a bit more than 29 days to complete the Ultimate Florida Challenge, hard chargers might be able to do this in 15 days or so, but the weather would have to cooperate. A more reasonable target is 20 days give a take a couple of days. Cruisers may take a more leisurely pace and use every minute of the allowed time. Of course, this challenge is so tough that it is possible that nobody can complete it in the allowed time limits. For more information, www.watertribe.com

Northeast Events

26th Annual Run of the Charles
April 27: Greater Boston. Series of professional and amateur canoe and kayak races for ages 12 and up, with more than 1,500 participants. Races wind along the Charles River through Dedham, Needham, Newton, Wellesley, and Waltham to Herter Park, Soldiers Field Road, Allston. Races include the $5,000 Professional Flatwater 26-Mile Canoe Marathon, 24-Mile Canoe Relay Race for teams of ten, and 19-, 9- and six-mile canoe and kayak races. Take note: The six miler is portage-free.

Sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association, with 43 years of improvements to the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Charles River. Entry fees $35-$55 a paddler. Free Finish Line Festival at MDC Herter Park. Race or Volunteer. Contact: (508) 698-6810 or rotc@crwa.org. Look for on-line information and registration at www.charlesriver.org

Coastal Adventures Sea Kayaking School
Contact Scott Cunningham, Coastal Exploration Centre, Box 77, Tangier, NS B0J 3H0: Toll free 1-877-404-2774 or info@coastaladventures.com

Connecticut Coastal Kayaking
Lyme, CT
Connecticut Coastal Kayaking, Lyme CT
ACA and BCU certified instruction, tours and special events on the lower Connecticut River and eastern Long Island Sound. Also ACA kayak instructor training (IDW/ICE). All kayaks and equipment provided or bring your own. See details at www.CTcoastalkayaking.com or contact CCK at paddle@CTcoastalkayaking.com or 860-391-3837.

Essex River Basin Adventures
Essex, MA.
Guided tours, instruction, guide training, summer adventure program for kids. (978) 768-ERBA (3722), (800) KAYAK-04, info@erba.com, visit www.erba.com or ERBA, 1 Main St., Essex, MA 01929.

Greenland & Euro Style Instruction
Hartford, CT
Basics, Greenland/Euro, Skills Development, Rescue/ Safety/Rolling. Certified Greenland and BCU/ACA Instructor Fern Usen and Donald White offer private or group lessons in New England. Contact Fern Usen at (860) 643-8303 or learn2kayak@aol.com.

H20utfitters
Orr's Island, ME
Since 1982, H20utfitters has been introducing people to the sport of sea kayaking, teaching beginner through adventure racers technical skills to enjoy the sport safely and guiding paddlers to a variety of paddling destinations in Maine, Canada, along the eastern seaboard, and abroad. It offers programming for all ages and will put together a customized program or trip for you, your family, company, or group of friends. ACA Certified instructors and Trainers and Registered Maine Guides provide detailed instruction and a fun atmosphere. Group size is kept small to ensure personalized attention and to minimize the environmental impact to a precious eco-system. Year-round instructional programs offered in ME, CT, NJ, NY, PA, NC, SC. Visit H2O on the web at www. h2outfitters.com; call1-800-20-KAYAK or email at h20@h20utfitters.com.