East Race Waterway
Located in Downtown South Bend Indiana, the East Race is one of the closest sources for whitewater to the Detroit Area. In fact you will find boaters from all over the Mid-West come to practice here. This is a very safe place, with rescue personnel stationed along the raceway and the ability to quickly "turn off" the water by closing the dam gates.

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Erik Carlson sidesurfing the East Race dam gate wave - Photo by Mark Hubbard

If you go try to get there before they open so you can see the large cement blocks that will form the rapids as the water rises when the gates are opened.

Ducky rides are great for the first timers! Many veteran kayakers have made wheels to attach to their kayaks for the three block walk back up to the start. This is a great place to watch kayakers close up as there is a sidewalk on both sides all along the waterway. Also check out the fish ladder next to the raceway :-)

Erik Carlson hand surfing at East Race - Photo by Mark Hubbard

2004 Public Schedule	Fee Schedule
Rafting & Kayaking
Open Weekends Only: 
June 12th - August 15th, 2004

Closed Dates: Closed to public for Kayak Race July 10th & 11th, 2004
Kayaks only June 19, 2004

Hours
NEW East Race Waterway is open on weekends only!
Saturdays
        Recreational Kayakers & Canoers 
        12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Sundays
        1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
For more info call: 574-233-6121	
Rafts & Funyacks
$2.00/per person/ ride (pass available 6 rides for $10.00)
Recreational canoeists and kayakers:
$8.00/per person/day (weekends)

What to wear? Rubber-soled shoes will be required. No sharp objects or jewelry.
(Kayakers be prepared to get your gear scraped up from cement walls, wheels for
kayaks are valuable for return to start)
All kayaks must have flotation. Everyone must wear helmet and PFD.
Kayakers may be asked to do a brief on water proficiency test.
(course has few eddys but can be run straight down, if in doubt try a ducky)

For more information go to the Official East Race site: 
http://www.sbpark.org/parks/erace.htm

Getting there from Detroit & sw Michigan area:
Take I-94 west to Marshall
Go south on I-69 to Indiana Toll Road 
Go west on toll road I-90/80 to South Bend exit 77 (33/31) (toll $2.00 in 97)
(Business 31 becomes the main street)
go South 2.2 miles from toll booth on N. Michigan, turn left (east)(just after
going under RR bridge, look for "To Stadium" sign) on North Shore (river will be
on your right)
Take 1st right on Niles (south) and continue just passed AM General building to
parking lot (3.1 miles from toll booth) Driving time about 4 hours, South Bend
is not on Daylight Savings Time so they are one hour behind Detroit.

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Last Updated: 6-23-04