The race cut off is 9 days 18 hrs; this means if you go over, we will not acknowledge it. An average time is 7-8 days and the fastest recorded time is just over 6 days 5 hours.
We have put some more detail on this in the taking part section of the website. Approach this with honesty, integrity and humility – these traits will always go a long way with us. Paddling is arguably 40% of the race and the rest is a fusion of skills needed. Tell us about you, what you have done and how you would prepare! If you have any gaps in your knowledge – for example emergency first aid, tell us what you will do to fill this. Note that we often take people with little or no paddle experience! This is much more than a paddling race, and these skills can be learned during the window of time between successful application and race day.
You will need to supply us with further information (passport details, emergency contact, social media to tag, etc) along with an invoice. You will need to pay your invoice and submit this information by the due date or your place will be forfeited and given to a team on the waitlist. Given the numbers that apply we are very strict on this.
We will then send out a detailed racer briefing to all those successful, with the guidance on what to do, timelines to follow and preparation to be considered. This is an event for experienced outdoorspeople – we will not hold your hand for your preparation, there is a lot for you do for this expeditionary race.
You will truly be amongst some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. That said, it is a race and on game day people will go up a gear. After the race it is a close network, and many come back again and again.
We are honoured every year to meet and connect the amazing individuals that form the Yukon 1000 race community, you will make friends for life.
The short answer is no! It’s far too dangerous to be done alone.
Beginning in Canada at Whitehorse (60°42’54.3″N 135°02’45.2″W), the race crosses into Alaska and ends at Dalton Highway Bridge, in the Arctic Circle (60°42’54.3″N 135°02’45.2″W).
The salmon are running at the same time as the race…but you can get bear spray and bangers in Whitehorse. You will see bears, but hopefully not in camp. Use sensible bear precautions: cook away from your tent, keep your food separate from your tent and away from your boat, etc. We will brief you before you start on what to do, but common sense is the best deterrent. In our experience people worry about this too much.
The easiest way is to fly from Calgary or Vancouver with most International carriers, then onto Whitehorse with Air North.
There are daily flights from Vancouver on Air Canada and Air North. There are also flights several times a week from Edmonton and Calgary on Air North, and during the summer, flights from Frankfurt on Conder Airlines. You can also get here by car or bus up the Alaska Highway, which has improved a great deal and is now a high class paved road.
Please book early. There is a limited amount in Whitehorse, and this taken up by U.S coach tours. It is recommended you stay as close to the town centre as possible.
The race starts in Whitehorse. Directions will be provided in the Race Registration pack.
We will full inspect this before departure and if any item is missing, we will give you every opportunity to come up with it. If you do not have the full kit list, you will not start! This is one of a few mandated safety measures we have.
As part of the safety measures we have put in place, your race fees will cover field rescue services – evacuation from the point of injury , to the nearest hospital or appropriate medical care facility. This service also includes a 24/7 medical reach-back assistance line that all racers can access in case of an emergency or general medical advice and support is needed for the duration of the race.
Also, we cover repatriation of mortal remains up to $15,000 to your home country. You will need to arrange your own travel insurance – and make sure you read the fine print as some providers do not cover races and note that you will cross the border so you must be covered for both Canada and the U.S.
We partner with Yukon Wide Adventures (Thomas at Yukon Wide will give you some training in the boat a couple of days before the race and is a very experienced paddler). They are familiar with the race and will be able to offer advice on kit and preparation.
Boats that are not listed below, but do meet the measurements are acceptable – however this must be approved. Please check with us before committing to purchase or hire of a boat.
Kayaks
WK 640 K2 sport – Length 640 cm Width 66cm
WK 640 K2 Expedition – Length 640 cm Width 66 cm
Seaward Passat G3 – Length 671 cm width 66 cm
Canoes
H2o Slingshot 222 – Length 567cm Width 85cm
Wenonah Jenson 18 – length 548cm Width 82cm
Clipper MacKenzie 18.6 – Length 566cm Width 93cm
Clipper White Water 2 – Length 566cm Width 83cm
Clipper Jenson 18 – Length 548cm Width 83cm
Paddles, are something you want to research and train with before the race; common brands are ZRE paddles and Wearner paddles for both canoe and kayak.
Camping gear is a thing of personal choice. Travel light, travel far.
All racers will be issued a mandatory kit list well in advance of the race.
The Rourke map that should be familiar to people who have done the Yukon River Quest is good as far as Dawson. There is another Rourke map that takes you as far as Circle. Past Circle, there is a problem.
The river has never been mapped well, especially beyond Dawson city where the Gold Rush ended. The suggested method is to pull mapping from Google earth; grid and scale using latitude & longitude; then print onto waterproof paper.
Navigation is not to be underestimated; the river level may not be the same as what appears on Google earth. The annual river thaw has significant effect on the landscape and river direction.
Kayak (K20) – This race is for recreation or expedition-style sea kayaks only, with closed cockpits. Sit-on-tops or an outrigger type craft are not allowed.
Sea kayaks must have storage hatches capable of storing all the gear required for this race. Kayaks must be paddled with the use of double-blade paddles only.
The Yukon 1000 Canoe and Kayak Race has adopted the same boat measuring scheme as the Yukon River Quest. For Kayaks this includes a simple length to width ratio which is determined by dividing the total length of the kayak at the 4-inch waterline (excluding the rudder unless it is faired into the hull) by the midship width at the 4-inch waterline. Do not rely on other published ratios. In addition, there is a minimum overall width. Measure according to directions in the How to Measure section of the FAQs.
Tandem Sea Kayak
Maximum 4 waterline length-width ratio: 10.2
Minimum overall width at the widest point: 26 in.
Canoe (C2 )- The tandem canoe (C2) class allows any boat meeting the USCA Competition Cruiser specification. Note that this specification allows boats that are not necessarily the most suitable for the race. Make sure your boat can carry the required gear and is stable when fully loaded. Each canoe must start the race with an approved, full coverage spray skirt/deck. Canoes must be paddled with the use of single blade paddles only, and must not be equipped with rudders or skegs.
See http://www.uscanoe.com/Content Images and Docs/USCA Main Calendar/USCACompRules2009.pdf section V.A for the full Competition Cruiser specification.
Tandem Canoe Max. Length – 18 feet, 6 inches, stem to stern
Tandem Canoe Min. Width – 14 3/8% of the length (.14375 times the length) at the 4 inch water line, measured within 12 inches fore and aft of the center of the canoe.
Tandem Canoe Center Gunnel Min. height: 11½ in.
Tandem Canoe Min. Height at Bow: 15½ in.
This rule allows: stock canoes such as the Clipper and Wenonah Jensen 18 models; and canoes such as the Clipper Whitewater II and Wenonah Minnesota II models. However, all of the above listed boats must have their measurements listed on the application, and will be measured at the pre-race inspection to ensure they meet the specs above.