They are the final word on all things having to do with the race.  We just report here and try to help them out with passing on the results.

The 2009 results will be posted as soon as possible.  Hopefully we will have them soon.

In the mean time click here to see Jere's photos

New  We have assembled a composite spreadsheet with all of the years results in one place. 

Broadkill River Single Canoe and Kayak results. 

Broadkill River Dual Canoe and Kayak results.

2008

Reports

The 2009 10th Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak race will be held on August 22nd, the fourth Saturday in August in conjunction with the Milton Bargains on the Broadkill and Great Duck Race.  Hosted as a fundraiser for the Milton Theatre this is the largest canoe and kayak race on the Peninsula.   Registration starts at 8:30 am and at Oyster Rocks Road. North of Lewes Delaware.  The race starts at 10:00 am and ends 10 miles later in Milton .  Pre register or sign up the day of the event.  Contact  mdc@snip.net  302-684-3400.   Irish Eyes is strategically located near the finish line.  $1.00 PBR's!, or at least they did last year.

Registration form             waiver

   Contact  mdc@snip.net  302-684-3400.

SHIPBUILDING ON THE BROADKILL

from the Delaware Public Archives

Like the Native Americans before them, the European settlers of the 17^th and 18^th centuries utilized the Broadkill River as a means of transportation. Clearing of lands resulted in an abundance of grain and wood products. To transport these products to market, local craftsmen fashioned small vessels from the timbers of the prime hardwood forest that covered the land. Expanding settlement and the resulting increase of exports led to the construction of larger vessels capable of sailing to more-distant ports. As the number and size of these vessels increased, the reputation of local builders began to grow as well.

Located at the highest point of navigation, the tiny village of Milton offered the advantage of proximity to the inland forests, and by the early 1800s a majority of the shipyards were located here. While earlier vessels had been built for local commerce, the Broadkill industry’s reputation for quality fueled a demand for ships by outside interests. The size of vessels grew steadily, and local shipwrights were routinely producing ships for the coastal and Trans-Atlantic trade by the mid-19^th century. Increasing preference for steam-driven ships, the physical limitations of the river, and the lack of quality timber, resulted in the rapid decline of the industry in the 1890s. By the dawn of the 20^th century the Broadkill’s “golden age” as a center for shipbuilding was over.

Updated 8/5/07  Results of the 8th Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak Race

Joe Warren and Cyndi Janetzko took first in the single kayak divisions, again.  Bill Hahn was back and asking about how all the old Delmarva Race paddlers were doing.  He had to trade Charlie in on a younger and sexier bow paddler and this was their first race.

August 4th 2007            The 8th annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak Race                     

 The 8th Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak race will be held August 4th.  A little earlier this year than previous years to help celebrate Milton's Bicentennial   Registration  at Oyster Rocks Road. North of Lewes Delaware and ends 10 miles later in Milton .  Pre register or sign up the day of the event.  Contact Karen at  mdc@snip.net  302-684-3400.  Previous years results  2001,  2002,  2003,  2004, 2005 2006 sorry I have no data for 2000.  Last year we found the newly opened Irish Eyes to be strategically located near the finish line.  $1.00 PBR's!         2007 Registration, Brochures and Liability forms

Note There are registrations out there that have a misprint about no canoes over 17'.  This was printed in error, if you got one of those please disregard.

From 2006

123 +/- boats participated.  Mostly families in their recreational boats, but also an impressive showing of fast racing canoes and kayaks.  165 years of combined experience.

But these ladies tell it better, so be sure to see Susanita's race report posted on her website The Purple Mirage .   She has a section set aside for Susan William's great trip reports too, including this race.  Cyndi's up front account of the race weekend can be seen at Updates From The Water

There has been some spirited discussion about the race and racers on the Delmarva Paddlers message board.

Photos are posted to Marc Clery's Website .

From the News Journal Rubber ducks, boats hit the Broadkill 

2006 Press Release

The 7^th Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak race will be held August 26^th and a dedication was presented in honor of Mitch Madgruda.  This was also in the booklet they distributed.

We, of the Broadkill River Canoe & Kayak Race were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of our friend and friendly competitor, Mitchell Madgruda.  In what can only be understood as a freak accident of weather and/or equipment, it was reported that Mitch, 47 and a "Master" level paddler, set out from the Washington Canoe Club on the Potomac River north of Key Bridge in Washington, DC in late February for a routine practice, and never returned. His body was found a day later near Bolling Air Force Base. Madgruda had been training for the General Clinton 75-mile race held each Memorial Day on the Susquehanna River.  Mitch was an experienced boater who designed and built his own kayak and he wore a suit that should have protected him for up to 30 hours in the water. The circumstances surrounding Mitch’s death remain uncertain.

I first spoke to Mitch by telephone in early 2003, when he contacted my office for information on the 4^th Annual Broadkill River Race. He also offered to spread the word of the race to all the kayak & canoe groups and paddling circuits in the DC Metropolitan area. I spoke with him every year after that, and sent him flyers & registration forms, which he distributed to all of his contacts. I credit Mitch with helping to make what could have remained just a “local” paddling event, into one of the most popular and well attended races on Delmarva. He of course went on to win the 4^th Annual and placed second in the 5^th Annual. We missed his challenging presence last year, when family commitments kept him from attending the 6^th Annual. And from now on…. we will just miss him.

Karen Duffield, Broadkill River C&K Race organizer