The Yukon Canoe Race Association has finished up for the year but they are already looking forward to the 2010 season and planning for more events.

Peter Coates, an organizer for the association says the focus next year will be on getting more young people involved in the sport.

"The Yukon has a pretty good canoe racing community,” said Coates. "But it won't stay good if we don't get some new blood involved.”

Coates is hoping to attract youth by going back to how things were years ago – with weekly Wednesday night short races. The races will be across local lakes and racers will get prizes and points just for finishing.

Once the ice has melted a 10-km race will be held every Wednesday from Schwatka Lake through Miles Canyon and back. Once Chadburn lake is thawed for the season the weekly races will move there, where 10-km races will continue and five kilometre races will be held for Juniors.

"We will also have some coaching before the races for anyone who is interested,” said Coates.

With the season on hold until the ice breaks off the rivers in the spring, already entries have been coming in for the annual Yukon 1000, the longest canoe race in the world that starts in Whitehorse in July and winds its way through the Yukon and into Alaska, finally ending north of the Alaska Pipeline.

This year the front runners took just over six days to navigate the lonely waters. In 2010 the race is tentatively scheduled for July 19.

One of the other main events on the Yukon's canoe racing calendar is the Yukon 360, a much shorter race.

Despite the race's length it is still tough.

"It's an interesting race,” said Coates.

The race changes rivers every year allowing competitors to see new scenery every year.

"People can come up and see different bits of the Yukon,” said Coates. This year the race was held on the Teslin River, and next year will take place on the Pelly River. "People can race and see the Yukon.”

Coates says the Yukon River Quest competitors see the same scenery each year, and the Yukon 360 gives them a chance to enjoy other parts of the territory.

For more information on how to join the Yukon Canoe Race Association contact Peter Coates at 668 4630 or email info@yukon1000.com. Information on the season's races can be found at www.yukon1000.com for the 1000, www.yukon1000.com/360 for the 360 and www.yukon1000.com/summer for the spring and summer local race series.