Lazy Beaver Race

July 29, 2023

A little pre-race rain and pleasant summer weather contributed to another successful Lazy Beaver Canoe and Kayak Race on the Baraboo River from LaValle to Reedsburg last Saturday. Twenty-two boats were entered in this year’s Lazy Beaver, which was held for the 23rd straight year.

The fastest entry was a canoe paddled by Bill Poole and Rory Rossman, who completed the 11.2 mile race in two hours, 10 minutes and 35 seconds. They also won the Older than Dirt (Combined ages of over 100 yers) canoe division. Brian Drapes was the fastest kayaker for the second year in a row with a time of 2:18:40.

The race had several returning paddlers from 2022 and all of them posted faster times than a year ago. Other division winners were Steve Statz and Mary Langer for Mixed Couples Canoe, Dennis and Jack Lichte for Adult/Child Canoe, and Sharon Page for Women’s Kayak.

The Reedsburg Kiwanis extends a special thanks to the Friends of the Baraboo River for their assistance in the race, to Tom Demmin and WRDB for inviting us on News & Views prior to the race, and to the Reedsburg Parks Department, Village of La Valle and Reedsburg Chamber of Commerce for their continuing support of our race.