Recreational Clubs in St. Lawrence County

Sportsmen’s Clubs are evolving and many would not be considered Recreational Clubs. In St. Lawrence County there are several Rod and Gun Clubs, as well as hiking, biking, and paddling clubs. These are the people who organize special sporting events, outings and competitions. Check out our online calendar for the latest happenings.

The Massena Rod and Gun Club offers its members a place to get together socially as well as to take advantage of a 300-yard range,  covered and uncovered 100-yard ranges, and a 50-yard pistol range. There is also a trap and sporting clay area which is open year round as well as an indoor archery range. Other archery facilities include an outdoor range and two trails in the woods. The Club sponsors an annual expo as well as a few hunting events throughout the year. And if you are a member, check out the 10-miles of snowmobile trails the Club maintains. For more information please visit the pages for the Massena Rod and Gun Club.

The St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers host four major races each year in April, May, June and September. The Little River Ramble in April is the season opener, on the Little River near St. Lawrence University in Canton. The College and Recreational Race is about two miles, and the Kayak and Marathon Class is about six miles. Classes are decided on race day. There isn’t a professional class during this race, but it does include in Recreation: Men, Mixed, Ad/Jr, RecUnlimitedOpen, College. The Marathon Class includes: C-1 Open, C-1 Stock Open, C-2 Open, C-2 Stock Open, K-1 men and women, and War Canoe.

The Rushton Races at the Canton Canoe Weekend are held the first weekend in May. This is one of the premier races in New York State. There are races appropriate for the local recreational paddlers, as well as top-level international competitors. The 12- and 14-mile courses are the most challenging on the marathon race circuit. The two days of racing takes place on the Grasse River, with the start and finish line in Taylor Park, on Miner Street in Canton. During the event, canoe and kayak dealers display various models which people can “try out” and there is a children’s playground on site, making it a great day for a family outing. Recreational Classes including: Solo Canoe Men and Women, Solo Kayak Men/Women; Tandem Canoe: Men, Women, Mixed, Adult/Youth, Junior, Adult/Junior; Unlimited Canoe Men/Women/Mixed. There is an Antique Canoe Race of three miles; Rushton War Canoe/Voyager and C-4 Race which is eight-miles. The Marathon Division includes: C-1 Pro, C-1 and K-1 Amateur, C-2 Pro Mix and C-2 Prom Men, C-2 and K-2 Amateur. The Relay Race is three miles and includes teams of four to six paddlers who take turns on a 1, ¾ and ½ mile legs of the relay. There are separate classes for men, women, mixed, family, high school and college student teams with recreational canoes only. A special race for War Canoe/Voyager class and Special Stock class was recently added. Races during this weekend allow paddlers to accumulate New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association points.

June is the time for the St. Lawrence County Flatwater Weekend Madrid Canoe Regatta. Start and finish is at the Madrid Community Park on Route 345 in Madrid. The are includes rough camping, playground and community center. Also sanctioned by the NYRCRA, races range from six miles to 12 miles. Classes include C-2 Pro, C-1, K-1 and C-2 Amateur, Solo Canoe for Men, Women, Mixed, Adult/Youth, Adult/Junior, Junior and Unlimited. Recreational Class is open for Solo Canoe for Men, Women; Kayak for Men and Women, Tandem Canoe for Men, Women, Mixed, Adult/Youth, Adult/Junior, Junior and Unlimited.

The Remington II Canoe Race, part of Heuvelton’s Homecoming Weekend in Rensselaer Falls are all six miles on the Oswegatchie River. Paddlers race from Rensselaer Falls and finish in Heuvelton. There are many recreational classes, with different events for men, women, and mixed teams, as well as separate events according to the age of paddlers and solo or tandem canoes. Recreational Classes include Men, Mixed, Adult/Junior, Rec Unlimited Open. Marathon Classes include C-1 Open, C-1 Stock Open, C-2 Open, C-2 Stock Open, K-1 Men and Women, and War Canoe.