General Raft Race Information
What made us decide to start this?
Launching off on the 4.5 mile course from Volz's Landing.
The idea for a raft race came from one that was sponsored by a local radio station (WKAU) on the Fox River between Appleton and Kimberly until 1985. A few of us had been talking about the idea of starting up another raft race for a couple of years when my sister Kari Deimer died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The idea of the raft race evolved into an idea to have many of Kari’s friends and family (as well as people who never got the privilege of meeting her) get together, start an annual community event, and raise money for cancer research. The old raft races were always fun, challenging and could be a family event. We hope to do the same with this race and improve it every year!
2017 WOLF RIVER RAFT RACE:
I am sorry to announce that we will no longer be continuing to hold the Wolf River Raft Race. This was a hard decision for all of us. We would like to keep some options open to continue to be able to donate to cancer research. We will continue to hold meat raffles, and some basket raffles, throughout the year. We will also keep the Thrivent Choice Dollars Program open, and anyone still wanting to make contributions can do so through the paypal account on our website. At the end of each year, we will still donate all funds from the year to cancer research. Thank you to all for your participation and contributions throughout the last six years.
Changes Since Previous Races
We’ve made quite a few changes based on what worked or didn’t work in the past, so make sure you check out the current rules and registration. Some of the changes at a glance include:
*If you would like to try the 'endurance class, please meet at Damn Yankees at 8:30am for register. Your team will take off with the canoe and kayak class at 9:30am. You will still be eligible for a 1st place trophy.
*A shorter (approximately 4.5 mile vs. the 11.5 mile) main raft race. We will still start the canoes and kayaks from Damn Yankee’s Watering Hole at the Buchman Access boat landing.
Start times: Kayaks and canoes (and endurance homebuilt) will start at 9:30am on the 11.5 course from Damn Yankees. (Registration will be from 8:30am-9:00am, with a mandatory participant meeting at 9:15am and launch at 9:30am). The raft and commercial classes will start at 10:30am at Volz's private landing (about 4.5 miles from The Waters Supper Club in New London). (Registration will be from 9:00am-10:00am, with a mandatory participant meeting from 10:15am and launch at 10:30am). Finish line for all classes will be at The Waters again. We’re hoping to have everyone off of the river by about 5:00pm.
ROOKIES BE ADVISED! AVERAGE SPEED FOR RAFTS FOR THE 2011 RACE WAS ABOUT 1.5 MPH! Water levels were average to a little high for July in 2011. Lower water level = longer race!
*Official race numbers will be assigned at registration. Numbered flags will be given to each raft at the starting line. The raft’s finishing position will be determined by the order that the flags are turned in to the official at the finish line. Any number can be displayed on the raft anywhere, but the official race number will be the one on the flag.
2017 WOLF RIVER RAFT RACE:
I am sorry to announce that we will no longer be continuing to hold the Wolf River Raft Race. This was a hard decision for all of us. We would like to keep some options open to continue to be able to donate to cancer research. We will continue to hold meat raffles, and some basket raffles, throughout the year. We will also keep the Thrivent Choice Dollars Program open, and anyone still wanting to make contributions can do so through the paypal account on our website. At the end of each year, we will still donate all funds from the year to cancer research. Thank you to all for your participation and contributions throughout the last six years.
Changes Since Previous Races
We’ve made quite a few changes based on what worked or didn’t work in the past, so make sure you check out the current rules and registration. Some of the changes at a glance include:
*If you would like to try the 'endurance class, please meet at Damn Yankees at 8:30am for register. Your team will take off with the canoe and kayak class at 9:30am. You will still be eligible for a 1st place trophy.
*A shorter (approximately 4.5 mile vs. the 11.5 mile) main raft race. We will still start the canoes and kayaks from Damn Yankee’s Watering Hole at the Buchman Access boat landing.
Start times: Kayaks and canoes (and endurance homebuilt) will start at 9:30am on the 11.5 course from Damn Yankees. (Registration will be from 8:30am-9:00am, with a mandatory participant meeting at 9:15am and launch at 9:30am). The raft and commercial classes will start at 10:30am at Volz's private landing (about 4.5 miles from The Waters Supper Club in New London). (Registration will be from 9:00am-10:00am, with a mandatory participant meeting from 10:15am and launch at 10:30am). Finish line for all classes will be at The Waters again. We’re hoping to have everyone off of the river by about 5:00pm.
ROOKIES BE ADVISED! AVERAGE SPEED FOR RAFTS FOR THE 2011 RACE WAS ABOUT 1.5 MPH! Water levels were average to a little high for July in 2011. Lower water level = longer race!
*Official race numbers will be assigned at registration. Numbered flags will be given to each raft at the starting line. The raft’s finishing position will be determined by the order that the flags are turned in to the official at the finish line. Any number can be displayed on the raft anywhere, but the official race number will be the one on the flag.
Award Categories
Canoe – Crew of 2 or more - 11.5 mile course.
Kayak – teams of 2 - 11.5 mile course.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebuilt Raft – 4.5 mile course, homebuilt. (NO commercially available hulls of any kind).
Homebuilt Endurance Raft - 11.5 mile course, homebuilt. (NO commercially available hulls of any kind).
Commercial Raft – 4.5 mile course, Inflatable rafts, pedal boats, etc. (No rowboats, fishing boats, etc.).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to winners of the various classes, there will be awards for the following “fun” categories:
Crash & Burn – for the raft that seems least likely to finish.
Best Raft/Team Name
Kari Deimer Memorial Award – A “Judges’ choice” award for a raft/crew that is memorable because of it’s artistic uniqueness, unusual theme, clever design, exceptional sportsmanship, or in any other way displays the spirit of this event in an exceptional way.
For more info or questions, e-mail:
Canoe – Crew of 2 or more - 11.5 mile course.
Kayak – teams of 2 - 11.5 mile course.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebuilt Raft – 4.5 mile course, homebuilt. (NO commercially available hulls of any kind).
Homebuilt Endurance Raft - 11.5 mile course, homebuilt. (NO commercially available hulls of any kind).
Commercial Raft – 4.5 mile course, Inflatable rafts, pedal boats, etc. (No rowboats, fishing boats, etc.).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to winners of the various classes, there will be awards for the following “fun” categories:
Crash & Burn – for the raft that seems least likely to finish.
Best Raft/Team Name
Kari Deimer Memorial Award – A “Judges’ choice” award for a raft/crew that is memorable because of it’s artistic uniqueness, unusual theme, clever design, exceptional sportsmanship, or in any other way displays the spirit of this event in an exceptional way.
For more info or questions, e-mail:
Go to: Wolf River Raft Race Rules
