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Krapf’s Annual Brandywine Boat Races

  • TIME: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
  • PLACE: Kerr Park boat launch along Brandywine Creek
  • ORGANIZER: Rotary Club of Thorndale-Downingtown
NOTE: All times and locations subject to change. View the current schedule of the day.
  1. All participants may provide their own canoe and with appropriate life preservers. Canoes may be rented from Northbrook Canoe PRIOR TO RACE DAY for $40. Call them at 610-793-2279. They will deliver/pickup the canoe on race day for you.
  2. Awards will be given in two boat categories:
    • Recreation: rental canoes or private canoes conforming to the following: 18 feet or less in length, 33 inches or more in width, canoes made of plastic (abs), aluminum or fiberglass (no Kevlar unless gel-coated). Any type of paddle is allowed. Awards for the first, second, and third place finishers.
    • Competitive C-1: one and two people. Awards for the first and second place finishers.
    • Kayaks: any private kayaks will compete against each other. 1st and 2nd place awards.
  3. All participants MUST sign a waiver of liability; parents must sign for minors. (The waiver is part of the registration form.)
  4. Same-day registration begins at 7:30 AM on July 4th in Kerr Park along the creek closest to Rte. 30 bridge.
    • Cash is preferred for same-day registration. If you need to make credit card payment or cash app payment, please contact the Rotary Club before race day via social media or email at thorndalerotary@gmail.com.
  5. Race begins at 10:00 AM, with kayaks going first, then canoes. Heats are every 10 minutes.
  6. Cold drinks and popsicles will be available at Georgia Farm Bridge on Natural Land Trust’s Stroud Preserve.
  7. The race finishes at Georgia Farm Bridge, Creek Road, East Bradford Township. You must arrive at the finish point by 1:30 PM. This is our agreement with Natural Land Trust and the fire department. Rental canoes will be picked up at 1:30 PM. (See below for a map of where boaters can be picked up after they finish the race.)
  8. All competitors can use the Krapf’s shuttle at 1:30 to return to Downingtown. Boats will not be able to transported on the shuttle. You are responsible for getting any personal canoes/kayaks back home.
  9. If you do not finish the race, kindly notify a Rotarian.

All proceeds from the race registration will benefit the projects of the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club.

The above map shows the closest parking lot to the end of the boat race.

Register for Krapf’s Annual Brandywine Boat Races

Note: Any changes to the above conditions are at the discretion of the race committee.

To enter the run, walk, Cross-County Team Challenge, boat race, Kidz K Fun Run, or Cornhole Madness, you will need to register. You can do so by clicking on the button below.

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