Paddlers to Travel from Holly to Fenton

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a pontoon or speedboat to get out on the water.

All you need is a canoe or kayak.

The 7th Annual Adventure Paddle from Holly to Fenton, which includes a race and pleasure run will take place Sunday and cover seven river miles from Waterworks Park in Holly to Strom Park, 299 S. East Street in Fenton.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Waterworks Building, 602 South Broad St., in Holly.

There will be an introduction ceremony at 11:30 a.m., experienced canoeists will launch at 11:45 a.m., novice and youth paddlers will start at 12:45 p.m. and the pleasure paddle will begin at 1 p.m.

There will be continuous race results and trophies at Waterworks Park along with a continuous shuttle from Strom Park back to Holly.

Organizer Sue Julian said water levels are a little higher and the river is moving faster. She said extra precautions will be taken with spotters along the way and  a  boat will follow the action from behind.

With the high water levels, Julian expects the best time, the record for a single kayak is one hour and 19 minutes, to be be bested.

Julian said it takes pleasure paddlers 2 1/2 to 3 hours to complete the seven mile trip.

She said the paddle usually draws around 100 people on a warm day and 40 on a cold day.

"It looks like we will get good weather. We are confident people will have a good time," Julian said.

Entrance fees are affordable as well. It is $20 per team for Headwaters Trails organization members, $25 per non-member team in advance, and $30 per team on the day of the race. Pleasure paddlers who belong to Headwaters Trails pay $8 per craft on the day of the event, where non-members can paddle for $10. Those registering on the day of the race will pay $12

Canoes or kayaks may be rented from Heavner Canoes by reserving one ahead of time by calling 248-685-2379.

"It's something between individual sport you and outdoors, and there are other people who like doing the same thing out there," Julian said.  "People are friendly and help each other. It’s a great way to experience outdoors."

For more information visit http://www.headwaterstrailsinc.org/.