Can your unit take the Reese Martin Cup this year?

This long-lasting tradition is a great opportunity to develop and practice a traditional scouting skill. It will allow scouts to work as a team, develop leadership skills, overcome challenges, and get in the Scouting spirit!  

Link to full race details: Annual Canoe Race Around MI

Date:	Saturday, September 15, 2024
Time:	Arrive at 7:00a for orientation, with the race starting at 8:00a, ending around 2:00p (depending on the canoe speeds.)
Place:	Lower Luther Burbank Swim Beach, Mercer Island

RSVP – Email the Michael Nystrom (michael@nystrom.org) the following information:

• Unit Number
• Adult unit leader name and email
• Scout team leader name and email
• Chase boat driver name and email

Canoe Race Route *subject to change*

This is a relay race consisting of multiple legs. At the end of each leg, all teams will stop and wait for the remaining canoes to arrive at the shore. This makes it easier on the chase boats so the teams aren’t too spread out on the lake.

Start: Southern Luther Burbank Swim Beach

• 1st Waypoint (2.1 miles): Mercerwood Shore Club, 4150 East Mercer Way 

• 2nd Waypoint (about 2.8 miles): Clarke Beach Park, entrance near 7700 block East Mercer Way

• 3rd Waypoint (about 3.5 miles): Groveland Beach Park, entrance near 5800 block of 80th Avenue SE, off West Mercer Way. 

• 4th Waypoint (about 1.5 miles): Franklin Landing, end of 78th Ave SE off West Mercer Way 

• 5th Waypoint (about 1.3 miles): Calkins Landing, end of SE 28th St off West Mercer Way 

• 6th Waypoint (about 1.8 miles): Northern tip of Luther Burbank Park (Calkins Point), park entrance at 2200 block of 84th Avenue SE. At this point, canoers will paddle to the beach, come ashore and answer timed, Scouting-related questions. Teams will then re-embark paddling about 0.5 miles to the finish. There is no change in crew. The same Scouts continue to Luther Burbank Park Swim Beach to finish the race. The clock will keep ticking while scouts answer questions and only stops at the next waypoint (Luther Burbank Park Swim Beach )

*Only the 2 scouts on this leg may touch the canoe. That means they must beach the canoe and turn it around by themselves.

Finish: Luther Burbank Park Swim Beach/ Picnic area C

Total Distance: ~13 miles

The shortest total time wins!

Finish lines for each waypoint will be a reference marker instead of the shore to reduce the chance of damage to canoes hitting the shore. Ex: passing the end of a specified dock or buoy.

What each Troop needs to provide:

• 1 canoe that is structurally sound and safe for scouts to be in. It also should float while filled with water(capsized).

• A Minimum of 2 life jackets. More jackets are preferred for easier sanitation. If each scout can have a life jacket that would be best.

• A designated timekeeper for your troop

• Someone to ask scouting-related questions on the last leg.

• If someone from your troop has a motorized boat located on Lake Washington, please see if they are willing to act as a chase boat for the race. If willing, please put their information in the RSVP form. We need a minimum of 2 boats. (prefer 1 per canoe)

• Rowers: All rowers must have passed a BSA swim test within the last 24 months or have written permission from their scoutmaster who has confidence in their swimming abilities.




Ask around your unit and friends to get these items if your unit does not already have them. If you are unable to obtain any of these items, please contact the scout lead and we will see if other units can lend some of these items. 




Watching the race:

Typically after a leg begins, the troop will drive to the next waypoint(end of leg) to watch their team get to shore. The size of the beach will affect how many people can be present at each waypoint. They also assist in swapping out life jackets, oars(paddles), people, and turning the canoe around(this does not apply to the Q&A waypoint).




Waypoints- this is where each leg will end and the next one starts. Each waypoint is located at a public beach. These beaches range in size, some small, some large. For smaller beaches, we ask that 50% or less of your troop show up to reduce overcrowding.




Timing:

A team of 2-3 timekeepers will record and track the times of each unit on each leg. Timekeepers will start the timer when a leg begins. The timekeeper will stop the timer when their team’s canoe hits the shore or a designated endpoint for that leg. They will repeat this for each leg.




Logistics and Safety: 

Troops are responsible for transporting canoe teams to and from 

waypoints. Chase boats will travel with the team canoes, to aid in the event of a capsize or other difficulties. Towing canoes with the powerboat or changing out paddlers while underway will result in a penalty or disqualification, although paddler teams can be transported between waypoints in a motorboat. All participants in canoes and boats must wear properly rated personal floatation devices and observe safe boating rules and practices. Canoe teams must have basic water safety knowledge and basic canoeing skills. At least one adult in each chase boat should have completed the BSA Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense courses (available online).




Weather Contingencies: We will adjust the course in case of inclement weather. If the weather is very bad with high winds (>15 mph) and very choppy waters (>3 feet waves), the race will be canceled. The decision to cancel will be made the night before. So please ensure we have a point of contact for each unit. Lower winds and somewhat choppy waters may be OK but may require an abbreviated race. In that case, we will decide on Luther Burbank during the orientation.

If foul weather occurs on one side of the island, we will use waypoints both on the island and in either Bellevue or Seattle (no longer around the island).




• 2 oars(paddles).