United States Canoe Association Selects Muskegon River for 2011 National Canoe and Kayak Championships

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Canoe Association (USCA), announces the selection of Newaygo Michigan's Muskegon River as the site for its Canoe and Kayak National Championship for 2011.

"The Newaygo team made an outstanding presentation and won the bid by a sizeable margin," stated Gareth Stevens, Chair of the Publications and Marketing Committees at USCA. "The USCA looks forward to helping make the Newaygo Nationals in 2011 on the Muskegon River a success to remember." Martin Ecker, a Muskegon-based expert paddler and Race Organizer for the 2011 event, was delighted with the outcome. "Newaygo was successful at winning the bid because of true teamwork. Between the people at Pure Michigan, the Newaygo Chamber of Commerce, and Powers Outdoors (the local sponsor), the delegates felt comfortable that we could handle a race of this magnitude. And, I am confident we can conduct a superb race on the world class Muskegon River with the support of all of the State and local organizations."

The USCA Nationals holds a major, six-day national canoe and kayak championship event every year, usually in early-to-mid August. The week-long event caters to paddlers from 5 to 90+ years, with marathon races for adults and combined adult-youth teams. Hundreds of competitors and their families from around the country and the world can be expected to attend the 2011 races from August 9-14.

"This is a huge victory for Newaygo, Michigan and for the Muskegon River," stated Gabriel Slominski from Powers Outdoors, which has its flagship store in Newaygo. "We will be encouraging new and experienced paddlers to get involved in paddling in this event and participating in the USCA in a meaningful way. We can't wait to showcase all that the 'Mighty Muskegon' has to offer." Slominski continued. "Paddling a canoe or kayak in the 2011 Nationals will be a great way for people from Michigan, the Midwest and the rest of the Country to experience the river and enjoy the great outdoors."

The USCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving its members in canoeing, kayaking, and other paddling activities, especially marathon canoe racing and marathon kayak racing, and supports conservation, cruising, camping, canoe instruction and safety education, adaptive paddling, and camaraderie. Learn more at uscanoe.com.

Powers Outdoors, the 2011 USCA Race sponsor, has been a major regional player in Outdoor Gear and adventure trips in Newaygo Michigan for over 70 years. www.powersoutdoors.com

Contact the Newaygo Chamber of Commerce at www.newaygonaturally.com

Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services. For Michigan travel news and updates, go to michigan.org.

SOURCE Travel Michigan

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