Tuscarawas River Canoe and Kayak Race Returns Saturday in Dover
DOVER (WJER) (July 10, 2026) – Paddlers will be hitting the Tuscarawas River this weekend for some friendly competition.
The 12th Tuscarawas River Canoe and Kayak Race is set for Saturday at Canal Dover Park, just upstream from the Wooster Avenue bridge.
Race Director Mary Jo Monte-Kaser says paddlers of all skill levels are invited to compete in either a three-mile or 10-mile loop course on the Tuscarawas River.
Spectators can expect to see boats of nearly every shape, size, color and material. Paddlers compete in different classes based on their boats’ size and width, since those factors can determine how fast they move through the water.
Monte-Kaser says separating the classes helps keep the competition fair.
She says the weather forecast is looking favorable, and she does not expect river conditions to force a cancellation.
The race would be called off if the river reaches 3.5 feet on the gauge below the Dover Dam.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by a mandatory racers’ meeting at 9:30 a.m. to review the rules. The first boats launch at 10 a.m.
Registration costs $25 for adults and $15 for youth under 18. The entry fee includes a T-shirt and a barbecue lunch at the finish.
