Northland Challenge

Join the Fun-Filled Festivities!

Northland Area Federal Credit Union and the Thunder Bay River Center present the Third Annual Northland Challenge!

Join us on Saturday, August 2nd, starting at 9:00 AM for fun-filled festivities.

Kayak Icon Kayak Races vendor icon Arts & Craft Show Paw Icon Duck Park Doggy Derby food truck icon Food Trucks

Kayak Races

This year, we are introducing two divisions: Sport and Recreational.

location icon Alpena Duck Park - 1510 W Chisholm St. Alpena MI 49707

time icon Sport Division Race begins at 9:00 AM, Recreational Division begins at 9:15 AM

Dollar Sign Icon $25 early registration, $35 day of registration, $20 discounted registration for EMTs, First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and Veterans, Linemen, and Bay Athletic Club Members.

Northland Partners with Bay Athletic Club

Northland is excited to partner with Bay Athletic Club for the Third Annual Northland Challenge Kayak Races. If you're a BAC member, you'll get a special discount on race registration. Just pick up your form at the BAC Gym or Urban Fitness, then return it to BAC to be entered for a chance to win a free kayak! Plus, the BAC Gym will be offering special fitness classes to help you train for the challenge.

A huge thank you to Bay Athletic Club for their awesome collaboration! Northland is thrilled to bring this exciting event to our community here in Alpena, Michigan, and can't wait to see everyone out on the water!

Kayak Race Prizes

Sport Division: This is a photo from 2024 picturing three winners of the Northland Challenge standing on a podium for first, second, and third place

1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $500

Recreational Division:

1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $100

Pictured is Northland's 2024 Kayak Sprint Winners.

Race Course

Kayakers launch into the river at Duck Park and then paddle upstream toward the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Racers will turn around at Sytek Park Bagley Bridge, paddle downstream, and pass under the bridge at the Alpena Duck Park to the finish.