Person kayaking on bright blue water in a pink kayak

5th Annual · Covered Bridge Edition · Mercer County, PA

Lake to Lake Challenge

A timed paddlecraft challenge for all skill levels on the Class I Shenango River Water Trail — from Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge to NorthStar Marina.

· Sprint starts 11:00 AM

Countdown to race day — register before it’s too late

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The Event

5th Annual Lake to Lake Challenge

The Lake to Lake Challenge is a timed paddlecraft event for all skill levels on the Class I Shenango River Water Trail in Mercer County, PA. A guaranteed water release at Pymatuning Dam helps create ideal paddle conditions.

Choose the 15 Mile Sprint Challenge (Competitive Class) or the 15 Mile Adventure Challenge. Both start near Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge and finish at NorthStar Marina on Shenango River Lake. A post-challenge awards ceremony with food and refreshment vendors takes place at the finish line.

Course change for 2026: The original 30-mile competitive challenge is now a 15-mile sprint due to a safety hazard on the upper Shenango River near Greenville, PA, and lack of safe portage around that hazard.

  • Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
  • Distance: 15 miles (Sprint Competitive & Adventure)
  • Start: Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge Park, West Kidd’s Mill Rd, Transfer, PA 16154
  • Finish: NorthStar Marina, 2802 Lake Road, Clark, PA
  • Sprint start: 11:00 a.m. (Adventure rolling start follows)
  • Cutoff: Finish within 7 hours
Smiling paddler in a life jacket kayaking on the water
Kayaking the course — life jacket on, paddle ready
Classes & Awards

Competitive & adventure — pick your pace

Two 15-mile options with age and craft rules from the official event site. Competitive racers compete for $7,900 in cash prizes.

Competitive

15 Mile Sprint Challenge

$7,900 in cash prizes

Geared toward competitive racers. Previous racing experience is recommended. Solo participants must be age 18+.

  • No watercraft under 14'; no outriggers
  • Singles (18+): Long kayak/surfski over 18'6"; long kayak/surfski 16'–18'6"; kayak/surfski 14'–15'11"; racing canoes 14'+ (M/F)
  • Tandem: Two adults 18+, or one adult + youth 14–17 — canoe/kayak/surfski 14'+ (M/M, M/F, F/F)
  • Early bird: $40 single / $80 tandem
  • Standard: $50 single / $100 tandem
  • Day-of: $55 single / $115 tandem (cash)
Register — Sprint Class
Adventure

15 Mile Adventure Challenge

For the challenge and adventure

Ideal for adventure racers, recreational paddlers, or anyone new to paddle racing — including competitive paddlers without a race boat.

  • All craft must be under 16'
  • Allowed: aluminum, plastic, ABS or fiberglass canoes, touring kayaks, surf skis, sea kayaks, sit-on-tops
  • Not allowed: inflatables & rowing sculls; paddle with canoe or kayak paddle only
  • Singles: age 18+ (Male / Female)
  • Tandem: two adults, or adult + youth 14–17 (M/M, M/F, F/F)
  • Early bird: $20 single / $40 tandem · Standard: $30 / $60 · Day-of: $35 / $75 cash
Register — Adventure Class

Age rules: No participants under age 14. Solo racers must be 18+. Tandem teams may include a youth 14–17 with an adult 18+.

The Course

Covered bridge to marina

Official course notes from the event organizers describe river character, current, and the lake finish.

The Shenango River is a mix of pools, fast-moving water, and still water. Water is dark green — visibility is often only about 12 inches. The river begins at the outflow from Pymatuning Dam, which can control flow. The upper river is winding and narrow; after the Little Shenango joins near Greenville the channel widens with moderate current and short Class I stretches.

The 15-mile competitive and adventure races start at Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge. The river continues with moderate flow for about 10 miles into Shenango Lake, where powerboat wake and wind may create waves. About 5 miles of lake paddling lead to the finish at NorthStar Marina (2802 Lake Road, Clark, PA — at the Rt. 18 causeway behind the Tara Country Inn). The river and lake are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; life jackets must be worn at all times.

01

Start — Kidd’s Mill

Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge Park, West Kidd’s Mill Road, Transfer, PA 16154. Check-in and day-of registration here.

02

Shenango River Trail

Class I water, moderate current, winding river. Water and energy snacks available every 4–5 miles at access points.

03

Finish — NorthStar Marina

Shenango River Lake finish. Awards, food, and vendors. 7-hour time limit for 15-mile challenges.

Watch & explore

Course video & map

From the official event site — watch the course overview and open the route map.

Course video

Open video on YouTube · Official course page

Course map

Lake to Lake Challenge course map from Kidd's Mill to NorthStar Marina

Open full-size map · Map on official site

Start — Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge

Open start in Google Maps

Finish — NorthStar Marina

Open finish in Google Maps

Race Day

Check-in, start & shuttle

Check-in

August 22, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge Park
West Kidd’s Mill Road
Transfer, PA 16154

Day-of registration for both races: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. (cash only).

Start times

11:00 a.m. — 15 Mile Sprint Challenge starts.

Adventure Class follows with a rolling start.

Mandatory safety briefing before each event. All racers must sign a waiver.

Shuttle service

Drop crafts at check-in (Kidd’s Mill), drive your vehicle to NorthStar Marina (2802 Lake Road, Clark, PA), then ride the shuttle back to the start.

Shuttle runs continuously 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Or handle your own transport to the start.

Indicate shuttle needs on your registration form: either “I will use your shuttle service” or “I will have my own transportation.”

Rules & Safety

What you need on the water

Read all rules before registering. Full details are on the official Registration & Rules page.

Mandatory equipment

  • U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD worn at all times on the water
  • One pea-less signal whistle (on PFD or boat, quick access)
  • Cell phone or two-way communication device
  • At least 1½ gallons of fluid per person at all times

Recommended gear

  • Spare paddle(s)
  • Water shoes, sunblock, snacks
  • First aid kit
  • Rain jacket; warm clothing that stays warm when wet
  • GPS and/or transponder (e.g. SPOT)

On the course

  • Mandatory safety briefing before each event
  • Boat numbers affixed left & right of the bow, above waterline
  • 2 mandatory pass points — verify boat number with on-land spotters or face disqualification
  • Finish within 7 hours
  • Water & energy snacks every 4–5 miles at access points

Race support

  • Bank support is not mandatory but strongly recommended
  • Any public access may be used for handoffs (water, food, trash, encouragement)
  • No substituting boats or paddlers
  • Self-support via river pull-outs is allowed

Organizer notes

  • Organizers may revise rules for conflict, hazard, or unforeseen incidents
  • If the race is canceled due to natural disaster, entrants will be refunded

Full rules on official site

Registration

Pricing & deadlines

Online registration has a processing fee. Mail-in cutoff is August 15, 2026. Pre-registration is highly recommended.

Class Early
Feb 1 – Jul 31, 2026		 Standard
Aug 1 – Aug 15, 2026		 Day-of
Aug 22 · cash only
Sprint Competitive 15 mile · 14'+ craft · no outriggers $40 single
$80 tandem		 $50 single
$100 tandem		 $55 single
$115 tandem
Adventure Challenge 15 mile · under 16' $20 single
$40 tandem		 $30 single
$60 tandem		 $35 single
$75 tandem
Register on Race Roster

Official site: laketolakepaddle.com · Rules & registration · Facebook

Stay the night

Overnight accommodations

The Shenango River area is centrally located to more than 40 overnight stays — hotels, motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds. If you plan to stay the night before the race, book for check-in Friday, August 21, 2026.

Find accommodations Official lodging info
Kayaker on a sunny lake at golden hour
Get involved

Volunteer

This event only happens with awesome community volunteers. Help is needed at starting lines, boat ramps, checkpoints, the finish line, and other points along the river.

Questions? Email Carmen at caiello@visitmercercountypa.com.

Volunteer sign-up

Contact organizers

Carmen Aiello
Visit Mercer County PA

Business: 724-346-3771
Cell: 724-614-2769
caiello@VisitMercerCountyPA.com

50 North Water Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146

Business hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Partners

Sponsors & collaborators

Made possible by businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits that showcase Pymatuning State Park, the Shenango River, Shenango River Lake, and watercraft sports.

History

Past results

Browse previous years on the official results page.

2025 15 Mile Adventure & Competitive 2024 15 Mile & 30 Mile 2023 15 & 30 Mile 2022 15 Mile & 30 Mile

Ready for the Lake to Lake Challenge?

Registration is open for the 5th Annual Covered Bridge Edition. Secure your early-bird rate and join us on the Shenango River Water Trail.

Register for Lake to Lake 2026