The members of the Wanda Canoe Club and The Village of Ridgefield Park are pleased to invite you the 9th Annual HACK Race on the Hackensack River on Saturday, October 5th 2024. Enjoy beautiful fall foliage, a real submarine, great paddling, camaraderie, food – and your 2024 HACK Socks!  Hosted by Wanda Canoe Club and sponsored locally by Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inserra Shop-Rite Supermarkets, Goodboy Paddlesports. This is an East Coast Outrigger Racing Association (ECORA) sanctioned OC1/OC2 points series.  In addition to outrigger, other classes will include surfski, sea kayak, ICF sprint canoe/kayak, V1, and marathon/war canoe. Please note: SUPs and OC4/6s will not be allowed in the race.  

The race course is on the relatively protected water of the Hackensack River, beginning and ending in front of Wanda Canoe Club.   There will be two races run concurrently.  There will be a 9-mile Elite Race run in 2-3 heats with boats of similar speeds and a ~5KM Novice Race.  Each participant must have in their possession a PFD, Type I, II, III, or V approved by the US Coast Guard, and each boat must have at least one pealess whistle while on the water.

Results will be posted on this website, and sent via email at the conclusion of the race. 

Parking: Boats may be dropped off on site. Parking for the event will be available on-site and within a 5 minute walk of the site, but will be limited. Please try to carpool.  There is also free public parking across the railroad tracks from the concrete elephants and next to the old railroad station, One Station Plaza.  There is also free parking on side streets within a block or two of the elephants. Do not park at metered spaces closer to the downtown area, as there are two-hour limits.  We are going to pack everyone in fairly tight to get as many vehicles safely close to the venue as possible.

Registration:  Due to space constraints, registration will be capped at 75 boats or 90 Paddlers (whichever comes first) between the Elite and the Novice Race.  Last day of online registration is Wednesday, October 3rd 8PM (or whenever we hit the cap).  The Elite Race will cost $35/paddler, and Novice Race will cost $25/paddler. There will be an online safety meeting Thursday, October 3rd 730PM. 

Race registration is non-refundable and benefits Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc.'s paddling programs and water clean-ups.  If the race is cancelled, a $10 code will be issued towards next year's race to all registrants.  

Socks: All 2024 Finishers will get a pair of HACK socks at the awards ceremony. Following the distribution of socks to this year's racers, we will also sell extra socks for $12 each.

Minimum age is 13 years old, experienced paddlers only. Scout Leader or Coach must verify skill level of their paddlers prior to registration.

All paddlers must bring their own boats. No rentals will be available.

Prizes: 

1. All race finishers will receive 2024 HACK socks.  
2. One random finisher will win a leash courtesy of MetaPaddling at the awards ceremony (must be present).
3. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place OC1 Women and OC1 Men will get to pick from prizes provided by Puakea Designs.
4. One random first-time Hack Race outrigger racer will win a Puakea Designs branded leash. 

 The race will be run rain-or-shine, barring thunderstorms/hurricane weather/declared states of emergencies.