The Red Mo kicks off paddling season with world-class competition
Every year, hundreds of paddlers in canoes and kayaks gather in nearby Clearfield County to row, row, row their way downstream in the Red Moshannon Downriver Race. The event has served as a sort of kickoff to paddling season in Central Pennsylvania for a mind boggling 58 years. That kind of longevity really puts things in perspective. It highlights that the area is a great location for water sports. I mean, we have a lot of great races around this area, from road and trail running events and bike races along the road and trail, but I can’t think of any that have been going since the 1960s (The Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races have been going since 1975, so that is pretty long too!) That is impressive!
Anyway, with our wonderful mountain streams and cricks (that is creeks for all you new to these parts), this is a great place to paddle, and the Red Mo Race kicks it off every year.
I participated in the race as part of a two-person canoe team, probably close to 20 years ago (how has it been that long?). Although I really had no idea what I was doing (I was in the front with an experienced paddler keeping our craft on track by steering in the back), it was a really fun time.
One thing I remember was having to rent myself a wetsuit because the water is very frigid in late March and it is flowing strong, so you never know if you might hit a rough spot and fall in. Luckily, we stayed afloat the whole time and kept dry. But we paddled hard, hit some good choppy, water and floated our way to the finish line. I remember it fondly.
Held on a remote 7.5-mile section of Moshannon Creek between Peale Bridge near the town of Grassflat and the Route 53 Bridge near the town of Moshannon, this year’s race is on March 28. For you adventerous folks, you can sign up until March 14. Even if you are not up for getting into the water, this year’s race is the second selection race for the 2026 World Championship/World Cup Team, so spectators will catch a glimpse of some world-class paddlers.
The Moshannon Creek is often called the Red Moshannon or Red Mo because of the red or orange color of the water due to an iron compound from the acid runoff that seeps into the water from old coal and clay mines in the area. Sadly, that runoff has made the stream uninhabitable for most fish, including native trout. There are environmental groups that are working to restore the stream, and the race helps raise its visibility and importance to a wider audience.
The race and the stream are the namesakes of one of my favorite local beers, Otto’s Red Mo Ale. The red amber ale kind of matches the colors of the water.
This spring, hopefully the water is flowing strong. As I write this, I am looking out my window to see a light snow falling on top of a snowpack higher than we have seen around these parts in a while. This comes after a very dry last summer and fall, so hopefully that snowmelt and a wet spring bring stream levels up.
Beyond being the race venue, the Red Moshannon is one of our many excellent streams for paddling, and you do not even have to go very far for some world-class flow. Over in Bellefonte, Spring Creek is renowned for its flow. Because it is spring fed (hence the name), Spring Creek is less dependent on rainwater runoff to keep up its flow and is almost always good for paddling.
The seemingly forever young David Kurtz can be spotted out there often. The 91-year-old is often found paddling along or teaching the next generation of paddlers to navigate the slalom course at Sunnyside Paddle Park in Bellefonte.
Nearby Tussey Mountain Outfitters is the place to go for your water sport needs, whether that be a group rental or a new vessel and gear.
Of course, if you are new to paddling, still water might be the way to go. Black Moshannon Lake (different than the Moshannon Creek) is an excellent place to paddle away amongst the lily pads. On the other side of the county, Colyer Lake is always a serene place to float along the water.
These are good places to practice your skills before heading out on to the running water. Yes indeed, paddling season is ready to kick off with the Red Moshannon Race, don’t let the water run past you. There is plenty of water to explore in Centre County. T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
