Waterfront Activities Day in Kenmore Saturday - kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, and dragon boats

Ride canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards for Free from Noon to 4pm 
Race 12.4-miles on Sammamish River from Redmond to Kenmore for prize money 

Kenmore’s inaugural Waterfront Activities Day begins its maiden voyage Saturday, May 13.

The day-long community celebration shoves off at 10am with a 12.4-miles race of human-powered watercraft on the Sammamish River from Redmond to Kenmore’s Squire’s Landing Park where people of all ages will be gathered to enjoy FREE canoe, kayak and stand up paddleboard and dragon boat rides during the Waterfront Fair from noon to 4pm.

The Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center (KWAC) is the event organizer.

“Our access to the Sammamish River and Lake Washington make Kenmore a coveted destination for those who enjoy a day out on the water with family and friends,” said City Manager Rob Karlinsey, an avid canoeist. 

“Last year’s successful Walkways and Waterways bond measure, the Lakepointe project and this year’s Waterfront Activities Day are some of the ways we’re leveraging our proximity to water to enhance the quality of life in Kenmore.”

Racers can begin to assemble at 9am on Saturday at Luke McRedmond Park located at 15811 Redmond Way in Redmond. Any type of human-powered watercraft can be used during the race. The race begins at 10am. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Pre-register for $30, or on race day for $40. All participants will receive a goody bag.

"People in Kenmore have a strong affinity for water-based recreation and leisure activities," said race organizer Sheri Baker, a KWAC board member. "By combining the race and fair we're able to bring together community around a shared passion, which helps to cultivate it."

The family-friendly waterfront fair starts at noon -- the same time race participants will begin arriving at Squires Landing Park, 7353 NE 175th Street. During the festivities attendees can try out canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards for free or learn about summer rowing and dragon boat programs available to youth and adults.

Other scheduled on-site activities include: food and beverage stations, raffles, local vendor booths, information about Kenmore’s boathouse and dock plans.

KWAC board member and fair organizer Debra Srebnik said she believes Kenmore’s “Waterfront Activities Day has the ability to become a very large, transformational event for Kenmore.”

KWAC is a volunteer-run non-profit formed in 2013 to promote a healthy, hand-powered watercraft culture in Kenmore by providing community access to sprint canoe and kayak training for youth, rowing and dragon boat practices for adults and youth. KWAC merged the race and waterfront fair after years of them each operating independently.

Presenting race sponsors are 9 Yards Brewing Company, Spencer 68 and LINQ. In-kind race sponsors are HodgePodge, Ostrom’s Drug and Gift, Great Clips of Kenmore and Redmond, Starbuck’s-Redmond, Jessica’s Unique Bites, Bastyr University, Daddy’s Donuts, Hyatt House, Ford of Kirkland and Super Supplements as well as the cities of Kenmore and Redmond.

More information here.