The South Yadkin River Canoe & Kayak Race will be held Saturday.

The race will start at the U.S. 601 bridge and access area northwest of Salisbury at the Davie County line. A pre-race meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., and the race begins at 10.

The race covers six miles of the South Yadkin River between the U.S. 601 access and the Hannah Ferry Road/city pump station access. The scenic river flows through mostly undeveloped areas, much of it forested, conservation land.

The Canoe & Kayak Race is sanctioned by the U.S. Canoe Association and N.C. Canoe Racing Association. Participants range from competitive canoe and kayak racers to recreational paddlers who just want to have fun.

This year will be the 33rd year of the race that was started by a group of canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts led by Sam Bonds and Jeff Gobble.

Jack Kepley, Scoutmaster emeritus of Troop 448, made hand-carved miniature paddles for the awards of the first race. Troop 448 Scouts participated in the race for many years and in recent years were involved in making framed certificates to award place finishers in each category.

After many dedicated years of service and support from Davie County, the original group was unable to continue to organize and coordinate the race. In 2013, Troop 448 took over the responsibility.

The race depends on the support of many volunteers. Rowan Rescue Squad provides safety personnel on the water. Davie County provides a shuttle service.

Troop 448 coordinates activities and provides refreshments. Sponsors help make the race possible from a cost standpoint.

Portable toilet facilities are available at the start and finish lines.

For more information, visit troop448.com or call Wayne Sasser at 704-637-6208.