Essex River Race Information
Date/Location
Date: MAY 2025 (TENTATIVE)
Location: TBD
Signup
Fees
Standard Registration: Typically $50
Late Registration: Typically $65 - Late Registration Begins May 1st
Extra Meal Tickets: Typically $15 - Purchase during Online Registration.
Race Entry Fees include shirt, race management, prizes and post race food & beverages. Extra shirts may be purchased at the finish line, if available.
Race Capped at 180 Boats / 250 entrants - Register Early!
There Is No Race Day Registration!
There Is No Rain Date!
Fees are non refundable (except under exceptional circumstances as decided by race committee)
Safety
REGISTRATION LIKELY TO OPEN: MARCH 2025
Each participant must carry an attention-getting noisemaker, such as a whistle, on a lanyard.
Each participant must carry a PFD on board the vessel. Race officials will be checking for PFDs.
Based on current Coast Guard rules, participants are not required to wear PFDs because the 2023 Essex River Race occurs after May 15th. Regardless, the CARC strongly advises that all racers wear PFDs due to the cold temperature of the water and the rapid loss of mobility that occurs in hypothermic scenarios.
Participants may not utilize ear buds or headphones during the race.
Participants may use bailers, compasses, and charts of the area.
Read the Rules page for further information.
General Event Schedule:
7:00 am: Arrival/Parking
8:00 am: Registration & Check In
9:00 am: Captains Meeting
9:30 am: Launching/Staging
10:00 am: First Heat Starts
11:30 am: Finish Line Facilities Open
General Start Order:
10:00 - Multis Fixed and Sliding (Possible moving start)
10:05 - Banks Dories and Workboats
10:10 - Fixed Seat Doubles
10:15 - Fixed Seat Singles
10:20 - Sliding Seat Racing, Men and Women (two heats)
10:30 - Sliding Seat Touring, Men and Women (two heats)
10:40 - OC1's and 2's
10:45 - Open Class, Paddleboards, Double Kayaks M+W
10:50 - FSK and SK Women
10:55 - FSK and SK Men
11:00 - HPK, SS20Plus - Men and Women
Additional Logistical Information
LOGISTICS CAN DELAY YOU!
Please allow time to park, check in, and attend the skipper's meeting and launch.
Location:
TBD
Parking:
Behind the old police station - Shepard Dr, Essex, MA 01929
Check-In:
Participant check-in is located inside of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum (follow the people).
Launching:
TBD
Staging:
Please remain near the end of the river until your class is called to the start.
Racing:
Depending on your craft, crew, and conditions, the Essex River Race normally takes anywhere from 40 minutes (HPK) to 120 minutes (SUP) to complete.
Wind, current, and water depth are environmental factors for competitors to consider.
Depending on the tide the race course can be quite narrow and the Essex River is a navigable public waterway — be alert to boat traffic.
The Cape Ann Rowing Club reserves the right to refuse to register any individual or boat. CARC may also expel or refuse any participant or boat before or during the event for lack of required equipment, unsafe operation, disregard for event rules, or unsporting behavior.
