Event Description
About the Great Dock Canoe Race
It was in the spring of 1977 that a new restaurant, The Dock at Crayton Cove, decided to throw an end-of-season party to celebrate its first year. Because of its waterfront setting, a canoe race seemed a natural. Twenty-five contestants and about 150 spectators participated in that first race. No one realized they had witnessed the birth of a tradition.
Today, the annual Great Dock Canoe Race is arguably Naples's most popular event. Contestants and spectators travel from throughout the country to race and watch, and thousands of people, from young children to grandparents, celebrate the race on land, dock and bay.
The theme for the event changes each year, and the costumes and headgear of the participants and spectators are as much a part of the day as the paddling and puffing.
Some canoeists are just out there for the fun of it, and upside down canoes at the starting line are not uncommon. Still, there are serious contestants who begin training early for the race, which covers just over 3 miles on Naples Bay. Next Generation racers (12-17 year olds teamed with their parent/guardian) have also been ‘raising the bar’ since 2000.
In 2004, after 27 years without a change in race format, the 28th Annual 2004 Great Dock Canoe Race saw something quite different & new! For the first time, contestants in all categories (M/M, M/F, F/F) who were out to compete just for the fun of it – the “Ambitious Amateurs” - raced at 12.45pm. Those who take their canoeing skills a little more seriously (teams in all categories – M/M, M/F, F/F) chose to enter in the “Practically Professionals” race at 1.45pm. Adjusted time handicaps determined the winners of each race, and the winner of the “Practically Professionals” race at 1.45pm was judged to be the Overall Winner.
In 2012, an additional category - "Truly Tenacious" - was added for teams with both canoeists 65 or over; and in 2013 the "Joe Klimas Keep On Paddling Award" for family sportsmanship was created to honor the late Joe Klimas (our co-Emcee for the first 36 years of the Great Dock Canoe Race).
In 2016, the original organizers of the Great Dock Canoe Race announce that it would be their "Last Dance" and that they would discontinue the race. However, the beloved canoe race will continue after all thanks to the Naples Junior Chamber (Jaycees) stepping forward to run the event.
The Naples Jaycees, the local chapter of Junior Chamber International, have served the Naples community for over fifty years. Historically known for their haunted houses, involvement with the Fourth of July fireworks, and influence in moving the county seat from Everglades City to Naples, the Naples Jaycees reorganized under new leadership in 2014. Today, the Naples Jaycees are a thriving young professional organization known for providing young, active citizens with opportunities for networking, community service, and professional and personal development. Jaycees members are known for their community involvement, both through the Naples Jaycees and in their individual capacities.
The Great Dock Canoe Race was created as a celebration for friends and locals that signified that season was over and summer was coming. It was designed to support the community and create a fun experience for participants and onlookers alike. Thanks to another like-minded group in the Jaycees, the tradition will continue in perpetuity.
Event details and schedule
Here is the Race Schedule:
8:00 - 9:00am | Paddleboard Registration
9:10 - 10:30am | 6-mile Paddleboard Race
9:20 - 10:30am | 3-mile Paddleboard Race
9:30 - 10:45am | Canoe Registration
10:35am |Tippycanoe VIP Sprint Briefing
10:40am | Theme Canoe Parade
11:00 - 11:30am | Tippycanoe VIP Sprint
11:15am | Main race briefing
11:45 - 1:00pm | "Practically Professionals" Canoe Race
11:55 - 1:00pm | "Ambitious Amateurs" Canoe Race
1:50pm | Awards Ceremony
GENERAL RULES
You must be proficient in basic swimming skills.
You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Have fun!!!
CANOE RACE RULES
You must only use a recreational canoe, maximum length 18’ and minimum width 34”. Only two straight shaft, single blade paddles shall be allowed.
Event organizers shall reserve the right to disqualify any team or crew member attempting to use non-recreational canoe equipment, for example, racing, motorized, or electric canoes or non-approved paddles.
There shall be two canoe members per canoe.
You must carry at least two (2) U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in each canoe.
There shall be no alcohol in canoes.
Canoe teams shall only be eligible to win in one racing category
Handicaps shall be awarded to the following racing teams: male-female (2 minutes), and female-female (4 minutes).
Unless entered as a “Next Generation” team (12-17-year-old with his/her parent/guardian), all racers shall be 18 years of age or older.
A competitor must be standing while paddling once a race has started until crossing over the finish line. A competitor is allowed to sit, lay, or kneel to rest without making forward progress.No hindrance or interference shall be allowed between competitors involving either canoes or participants.
The finish shall be judged or determined by the order in which the bow tips of each canoe crosses the designated finish line.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to act in a sportsmanlike fashion, avoid a collision at all times, and obey all rules.
PADDLEBOARD RACE RULES
The paddleboard races are “open” races where paddleboarders can use a board of any dimension or weight.
The two-lap race is the “professional” race and the one-lap races is the “amateur” race.
All paddlers must have a leash, whistle or other sound producing device, and a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.
All paddlers must be at least 16 years old unless expressly approved by event organizer.
A competitor must be standing while paddling once a race has started until crossing over the finish line. A competitor is allowed to sit, lay, or kneel to rest without making forward progress.
No hindrance or interference shall be allowed between competitors involving either boards or participants.
No drafting of any kind will be allowed by boat or paddler, to aid or hinder another paddler.
The finish shall be judged or determined by the order in which the bow tips of each paddler’s board crosses the designated finish line.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to act in a sportsmanlike fashion, avoid a collision at all times, and obey the rules.
PADDLEBOARD RACE ROUTE AND START PROCEDURE:
The paddleboard race is run in two parts with a staggered start: first out will be the “Professional” race, then we will send off the “Amateur” race.
The race starts at The Dock at Crayton Cove. The race lanes are located west of the markers. The path runs parallel to the City Dock, then through the small cove facing Naples Yacht Club, then north to the Riverwalk at Tin City, which is the halfway point. The return trip is the same course in reverse, ending in Crayton Cove. The race map is available at www.greatdockcanoerace.com.
The Professional race will complete the course two times and the Amateur Race will complete the course once.
CANOE RACE ROUTE AND START PROCEDURE:
This year, all teams can choose to compete for the Overall Trophy by entering the Practically Professionals race, or if you prefer … run just for the fun of it by entering the Ambitious Amateurs race.
The canoe race is run in two parts with a staggered start: first out will be the “Practically Professionals” (female-female, male-female and male-male teams), competing for the overall winner trophy, then we will send off the “Ambitious Amateurs” (female-female, male-female and male-male teams), competing for medals. The Truly Tenacious (both canoeists 65 or over), and Next General participants (parent-child age 12-17 teams), qualify to compete in the “Ambitious Amateur” race.
The race starts at The Dock at Crayton Cove. The race lanes are located west of the markers. The path runs parallel to the City Dock, then through the small cove facing Naples Yacht Club, then north to the Riverwalk at Tin City, which is the halfway point. The return trip is the same course in reverse. The race map is available at www.greatdockcanoerace.com.
VIP SPRINT AND THEME CANOE PARADE:
The Theme Canoe Parade and Tippycanoe VIP Sprint, staged before the main race, run on a shortened course in Crayton Cove.
