Thank you for volunteering for the 71st Westfield River Wildwater Races. This is one of the longest running canoe and kayak race of its type in the country, and you can see people racing with, or even against, their children or even grandchildren. Without many volunteers, we could not continue to hold the Race.
BASICS:
The Race has two start times, one for the “Expert” Race that takes off from the Knightville Dam at 9:30 in the morning, and the “Classic” Race taking off at 11:00 from the Huntington DPW (At the Green Bridge). The Classic Race can have over 300 Racers on average.
For ALL volunteers, the Race goes off rain or shine. Please dress accordingly for the weather, bring water and snacks, and a chair for down time. We will provide breakfast at the Registration area tent or lunch at Strathmore park. A meal ticket will be handed out at either theregistration area, or at Strathmore Park starting at 1:00. All volunteers get a hat, t-shirt or cap if wanted. Those will also be at the Classic Registration or Strathmore Park. Parking Passes will be available digitally to all registered volunteers via email on Thursday prior to the Race.
AM Students (Gateway NHS and St. Mary’s):
Student volunteers are welcome at the Classic Race to help set up starting at 7:00 am. We will have a site captain who will advise students where to go. The following positions are needed throughout the morning from 8-12:
*1-2 bridge attendants to make sure only volunteers or racers doing boat drop off are entering the Race area. Boat drop offs will be obvious, and all volunteers will have a special parking pass.
*1-2 people directing volunteers/boats where to go.
*2-3 people to manage the parking (we will help advise).
If we have additional volunteers, we have a few other tasks!
PM Volunteers (WHS):
We ask that students meet at 12:00pm noon at the finish line on Woronoco Rd in Russell, MA. We have a site captain who will organize everyone into different teams.
*We need one or two loud people to be “greeters” and wave people to the Finish line. They can bring loud things to help.
*We need at least three teams of 2 people each to assist Racers move boars from the Finish line to the trailers that will bring the boats to Strathmore Park up the Road. (Due to the dilapidated Strathmore Mill not being torn down, we have a limited area for cars, so we have a bus for people and trailers for their boats).
*If we have enough volunteers, we need additional people to help unload boats off of the trailer at Strathmore Park..
The Racers tend to wrap up by 2-2:30 pm. We ask that students arrive early so that we can get everyone parked, organized, and prepped for their tasks.
FINAL NOTES:
Please email Heather up to Friday evening if you have a situation where you are unable to come.Westfieldwildwaterraces@gmail.com.
Text Heather @ 413-454-8424 with your name and position if you cannot make it on the day of as soon as possible.
The link to the 2026 Volunteer Waiver/Registration is here: 2026 Race Waiver and Registration if you have not done do.