The Zumbro River Canoe Race is a family event. All event proceeds are used as summer camp scholarships for inner city youth of Rochester. Camp Victory, the Friendship Place of Rochester, and the Lake Zumbro Improvement Association have joined together to provide opportunities for the inner city youth of Rochester to receive mentoring support and experience summer camp at Camp Victory. The Race will begin at 4:00 PM.

For more information about Camp Victory, visit the website at: www.campvictory.com or contact the camp at 507.843.2329.

Registration is held at Camp Victory. You may want to leave your vehicles at the camp instead of parking at the starting area. Buses and canoe trailers are available to transport you and your canoe from the Camp to the starting point. Please come early if you want to use this service. The first bus will leave at 1:00 PM and the last bus at 3:30 PM.

There will be two start times. The pro start for canoes and kayaks will begin at 4:00 PM and the amateur class will begin at 4:30 PM. The course is 5 miles long. The lake is calm except for waves that may be present from motorized boats. The portage around the dam is on the east side. All participants are responsible for their own canoe carries and equipment. No racers are allowed to receive assistance. The distance from the dam to the finish line on the river is one mile. Legal flotation devices for each paddler are required, and you will not be permitted to start the race without them. You must have flotation devices and paddles in your possession when you cross the finish line. Minnesota law requires current registration on all boats.

Canoe Rentals:
To rent a canoe, registration must be paid and your badge shown to the concessionaire. Canoes are rented on a first-come first-served basis on the day of the race.  There are a limited number of canoes to rent.  You may pay in advance to reserve your canoe.  Contact the camp to reserve your canoe at

You may contact the Rochester Public Utilities 507.280.1540 or www.rpu.org for Zumbro River water level information or any other questions about the river. All questions about the race will be answered through the camp office at 507.843.2329 or via e-mail:

If you have questions about your canoe or kayak, the class you should enter, contact the camp office for more information.