Fifty-nine teams will dip their paddles into the water next month with the Klondike in their sights.

The 17th annual Yukon River Quest is set for June 24 to 28, with paddlers from a dozen countries ready to make the 715-kilometre journey from Whitehorse to Dawson City via the Yukon River.

While the longest annual paddling race in the world is still more than a month away, the Yukon River’s water level is expected to slow down racers during this year’s odyssey.

While the river isn’t abnormally low for this time of year, peak levels will occur before the River Quest begins, Yukon government hydrologist Ric Janowicz told the Star today.

“The Yukon River in Whitehorse just bottomed out last week,” said Janowicz. “It’s on its rise now. ... But the snowpack is generally quite a bit lower than normal, so this is not good news for speedy races.”

The river’s levels at present are not unusual for this time of year, he said.

“We got this fabulous warm spell and the snowpack is melting rapidly now, so we’re going to peak early,” said Janowicz.

“Typically, the peak occurs before race day anyways ... But you’ve got a below-normal snowpack which is melting off quick and is going to result in peak levels which will be significantly earlier than normal.

“So by the time the race starts, the river should be dropping.”

The difference in the Yukon River’s water volume currently and during peak season is 40 cubic metres per second of discharge versus 600 in Whitehorse, said Janowicz.

An early peak that will be lower than normal serves as a “double whammy” for paddlers.

“Some years, the peak has been late and the race has been on the peak,” he said.

“Those are the ideal conditions for a quick race.”

The River Quest record was set in 2008 by Team Kisseynew, who completed the trek in 39 hours 32 minutes 43 seconds with near-peak water conditions.

Last year’s winners – Two Numbnuts – crossed the finish line in 45 hours 30 minutes 32 seconds.

The Brit duo of Shaun Thrower and Steve King said low water levels hampered their time.

Janowicz said he takes several calls each year from potential River Quest participants seeking information on the river’s level.

“They don’t want to come, unless it’s going to be a fast race,” he said, noting some calls have come from past champions.

This year, paddlers from across the world will once again converge onto the Yukon capital for the River Quest.

Paddlers are coming from Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Nine Canadian provinces and territories will also be represented, said longtime race media director Jeff Brady.

“It’s a pretty good-looking field,” he said. “And the last two or three years, it’s been really hard to predict who the fast teams are going to be – and that’s not a bad thing. It makes for a lot of fun guesswork.”

However, Brady said he will be keeping an eye on tandem canoe duo Gaetan Plourde and Jeff Brainard.

The two Ontario boys are teaming up after battling it out in the solo canoe division the past few years.

Plourde is the record holder in the solo canoe class for his 2011 finish in 48 hours 28 minutes.

“They’re both really strong paddlers,” Brady said.

Team Ts’alvit, the top Yukon boat in last year’s race, is also expected to be a threat.

The voyageur team led by Jim and Pam Boyde has a more experienced roster on deck for the 2015 race, including Elizabeth Bosely, Mia Lee, Pat McKenna, Andre Paul and Justin Wallace.

Brady also gave a nod to the Skagway entry Alfred E. Paddlers as a team to watch in the voyageur division.

“They got rid of some dead weight like me,” he chuckled. “They changed their name, which goes back to Colorado’s Alfred E. Packer. He was basically a cannibal.

“I don’t know what their meal plan is...,” Brady drifted off. “But I do know they’re hungry ... to at least beat the Skagway record and maybe try and win the thing.”

As for the river levels, Brady said he’s not concerned.

“The river is always going to have water in it,” he chuckled. “I think you’ll see slower times again this year, but a lot can happen between now and the start of the race.

“It will mean an easier pass through the (Five Finger) rapids and slower times. ... A bigger concern will be forest fires and smoke, which can also slow people down,” Brady added. “Our biggest worry always is the weather on the lake anyways. That’s always the biggest safety factor.”

Volunteers are still needed for the race and can sign up at www.yukonriverquest.com.

Those interested can email yrqvolunteers@gmail.com or call the race office at 867-333-5628.