The 2023 Seneca Showdown: The Downriver Race

The 2022 Seneca Showdown: Featuring the Canoe & Kayak Downriver Race
Hosted by Calleva River School, this year's showdown was the rainiest race on record, albeit the downpour being of no deterrence to the area's most competitive racers. Amid the fog and mist, the race was a sight to be seen and much excitement from the start through Seneca Breaks, all to be capped with meeting the feel of a solid attainment race from the outflow of Muddy branch to the finish line. The Wildwater canoes showed their prowess as true speed machines, while the 12Rs, Green Boats, and Stingers dominated the Class C field. The vast variety of kayaks and canoes makes the Showdown a truly opportune place to see and learn about nearly every style and the performance capabilities of whitewater kayaks and canoes. The Attainment Race consisted of 20 competitors (15 men and 5 women) and the Downriver Race consisted of 55 competitors (42 men and 13 women). The 2022 Seneca Showdown had 35 competitors in the Attainment Race and 47 competitors in the Downriver Race. The water level (stage) was 4.05ft./10,700cfs. The level for the 2022 Seneca Showdown was 3.8ft./8,370cfs. Both races consisted of the following categories:
Class A: Wildwater & Race Boats
Class B: K1 Boats over 13 feet, including Wavehoppers, Sea kayaks, Phoenix Cascades, Slalom, and Mirage
Class C: K1 Long Boats 10 feet to 12 feet 11 inches (e.g. Dagger Green Boat, Liquidlogic Stinger, & the Pyranha 12R)
Class D: K1 boats under 10 feet (e.g. creekers)
OC: Open Canoe
K2: Tandem Kayaks
Raft
C1
C2
One thing that is surely agreed on is that the start for both races was the best place to watch, cheer, and be a part of the action of the speed show, especially from atop the Seneca Aqueduct, which offers the best view of the roaring start for both races, and the grueling finish of the attainment racers, as they give all that they have left in them to trudge through to the finish. The Wildwater class for both races included racers of Team USA.
At the moment that both races commenced, there was so much power collectively generated at the mouth of the Potomac that a brief wake was generated, making for a Chesapeake Bay like choppy ride through the sprint out of the Aqueduct. The long stretches before and after the class I-II Seneca Breaks were a long and flat haul, testing the limits of one's endurance when going all out in high gear in the heat of a close race. The race tightened and picked up in the Seneca Breaks section, which improved the speed and directional control of the 12R, as it was outcompeted by the Green Boats and Stingers beginning and end flat sections. The Awards Ceremony & generously provided cookout added to the wonderful opportunity of getting to meet local kayakers. As with the Canoe Cruisers Association's Potomac Downriver Race, the Seneca Showdown provides an excellent opportunity to see the capabilities of all kinds of kayaks and canoes, and ultimately, push one's endurance to the limit and relive that 100 meter dash feel from when the airhorn goes off.
"Whether you love to compete or want to be part of a fun community paddle, the Seneca Showdown is the event for you! Come out and test your endurance against some of the Potomac River area’s best paddlers. The race course is located on the class ll section of the Potomac River know as the G.W. Canal and Seneca Breaks." - calleva.org
On the previous day, I competed in the annual Little D on the Monocacy canoe and kayak race, located on the historic Monocacy River, in Frederick, Maryland. The 6 and 12 miles races are held in memory of Daniel "Little d" Sullivan and raise funds for terminally ill children and families affected by metachromatic leukodystrophy.
- Official Website & Registration Information: runsignup.com/...
- Facebook Page: / littledonthemonocacy
Contents:
- Downriver Race Map (0:10)
- Downriver Race (0:40)
- Hydrographs & Downriver Race & Attainment Race Results (10:17)
The Downriver Race:
Date: April 30, 2023
Distance: 3.0 Miles
Class: I-II
Water Level/Flow Rate: 4.05ft./10,700cfs
Water Temperature: 62°F
Start Time: 11:30 AM
Starting Line/Put-In: Seneca Aquaduct/Riley's Lock (Lock 24)
- 13015 Rileys Lock Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837 (ample parking)
- 39°04'08.8"N 77°20'25.1"W (39.069105, -77.340318)
- Calleva River School
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal: Mile Marker 22.8
Finish Line/Take Out: Pennyfield Lock Boat Ramp (Lock 22)
- At the end of Pennyfield Lock Rd. Potomac, MD 20854
- 39°03'25.2"N 77°17'38.6"W (39.057009, -77.294043)
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal: Mile Marker 19.6
Featured Kayak: Pyranha 12R
Fees:
-$15.00 per race
Seneca Showdown Resources & Contact Information:
- Official Website and Online Race Registration & Race Results: calleva.org/li...
- Official Facebook Page: Calleva's River School - / callevars