The Great Canoe Race in Freeport

They come from near and far to compete in Freeport’s Great Canoe Race, a 40-year plus tradition held each summer along Freeport’s waterfront. Freeporter Les Endo Jr., who began competing in the race when he was 9 or 10 years old, has invited his friends, members of the National Ski Patrol in Pennsylvania, to join him this summer to “see who is the fastest on the water,” he said. Last year a few of his friends, including Chris Bella and Melissa Harden, competed and took several awards. This year Les hopes the group will be bigger and better. “It’s still in flux, but I’m thinking we could be about 22 people,” Endo said.
The National Ski Patrol is a national volunteer organization. Patrollers are members who are actively involved in providing emergency care to skiers. “We see each other all winter but not in the summertime,” explained Endo. “This seemed like a good excuse to get together.”
The 2015 Great Canoe Race is scheduled for this Sunday, Aug. 2 and will be held at Cow Meadow Park at the foot of South Main Street in Freeport. The races are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and any one 10-years-of age or older can participate in the festivities. Men and women, boys and girls, can “pull the boat.”
Endo said he has planned a fun family weekend around the race. “This is a really awesome group of people who like to help others. We will get out on the water and have fun,” he said.
Sunday’s forecast is for hot and sunny weather. But for Endo, “it doesn’t matter. We go out in any weather and we’ll have fun.”
The Village of Freeport, the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Freeport PAL sponsor the Great Canoe Race. The entry fee is $35 per canoe and includes paddles and a life jacket.
“This is in important Freeport tradition and I hope people will come out to support the day and support Freeport,” Marianne Endo, a canoe race organizer said. For more information and to register call (56) 223-8840.