Erie Series Race # 1:

Bringing Back the Black

“If you clean it, they will come.”

The Black River’s history follows a very similiar timeline of events as its nearby, more famous, big sister river, the Cuayhoga. By the late 1960’s, after years of limited enviornmental regulation, pollution, and ecological degradation, the Black River water quality was horrendous, being neither safe for wildlife or humans. However after the Cuyahoga River fire of ‘69, the EPA was formed, the Clean Water Act was passed, and plans to clean the river were implemented. Over the last 40+ years, organizations such as the Ohio EPA, the Great Lakes National Program Office of the U.S. EPA, the Black River AOC, and LoCo Yaks have spent tens of millions of dollars and countless man hours working to bring the Black River back to life. The environmental restoration efforts have greatly improved the quality of water, have fueled an economic revival, with new investment along the waterfront, new businesses in downtown Lorain, and have renewed recreational opportunities, such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding. The purpose of Bringing Back the Black is to celebrate the envirnmental comeback and highlight the paddling opportunities of the Black River. In the words of Chris Korleski, director of the Great Lakes National Program Office of the U.S. EPA, “If you clean it, they will come.” Well, look out Lorain, here we come!

When? June 1st, 2019

Where? Black River Landing, 421 Black River Ln, Lorain, OH 44052. Black River Landing is home to Rocking on the River and a beautiful, large, green space along the banks of the Black River and in the heart of downtown Lorain. Special thanks to Tom Brown and the Lorain Port Authority for allowing us the use of this fantastic venue for Bringing Back the Black.

Who? SUPs, kayaks, surfskis, canoes (see boat and board classes here)

Races?

• 2-mile, short course, recreational race for all watercrafts, all levels of paddlers. This race will begin at Black River Landing, paddle upriver for 1 mile to the Rt 611 bridge, turn around and paddle back downriver to finish at Black River Landing.

• 7-mile, elite distance race is for exerienced paddlers who own a racing watercraft (SUPs 12’6” - 14’ and kayaks, surfskis and canoes 14’ or longer). This race will begin at Black River Landing, paddle upriver for 3.5 miles to the confluence of French Creek, turn around, and paddle back downriver to finish at Black River Landing.

• Youth races on a mini course for kids between the ages 12-16 (with parental permission and signed waiver). The race will begin at Black River Landing, go a short distance upriver to the Black River lift bridge, turn around and comeback. Total distance is less than 1 mile.

REGISTER BELOW: $5 off registration through Monday, May 27 with code BBTB2019. Anyone registering after May 27 cannot be guaranteed a meal or race t-shirt.

7-mile race: $45 with code BBTB2019 through May 27. After May 27, $50

2 mile race: $35 with code BBTB2019 through May 27. After May 27, $40

Youth Race: $25 with code BBTB2019 through May 27. After May 27, $25 (parental permission and signed waiver required)

Schedule of Events*

Friday, May 31st

• Noon - 6 pm: Packet pickup at Nalu Standup Paddle & Surf, 1328 Linda St, Rocky River

Saturday, June 1st

• 6:30 - 7:40 am: Racer check-in. Last minute registration. Rental SUP/ kayak check-out.

• 7:45 am: Mandatory Racer Safety Meeting

• 8:00 am: Start of the 7-mile race for kayaks, surfskis and canoes

• 8:05 am: Start of the 7-mile race for SUPs

• 8:10 am: Start of the 2-mile race for kayaks and canoes

• 8:15 am: Start of the 2-mile race for SUPs

• 9:30 am:  Post-race food

• 10:00 am: SUP & kayak demos, all try-it activities open, slackline, yoga, SUP yoga, SUP fitness

• 10:30 am:  Steven Barry SUP paddle clinic & Joe White kayak/ surfski paddle clinic

• 11 am: SUP Jousting on SUPsquatch

• 12:15 pm:  Awards ceremony

• 1:00 pm: Post-race adult beverages at Scorchers, 900 Braodway Ave, Lorain, OH

  *Race director reserves the right to alter schedule