It’s akin to completing a high-wire act, only with the benefit of a safety net below.

That’s how Yukon River Quest president Harry Kern described the world’s longest annual canoe and kayak race, which sees paddlers travel from Whitehorse to Dawson City.

The 715-kilometre wilderness adventure race is commonly referred to as the “Race to the Midnight Sun,” as it runs during the time of Yukon’s summer solstice – when daylight seems never-ending.

“What I hear time and time again is people are curious to see if they can do it,” Kern told the Star today. “It’s a supported race.

“It’s sort of like if you want to do a high-wire act, you might not do it without a net. We provide the net. It gives you a chance to do something you might not normally do because it’s a supported race.”

Beginning Sunday, registration forms will be available on the race website: www.yukonriverquest.com.

The 2016 race will run from June 29 to July 3 on the mighty Yukon River.

“There aren’t that many long paddling races around and that’s always going to attract people,” Kern said. “

Deadline for entries is May 15, but teams are encouraged to register early as their is a limit of 100 teams – including 30 solo paddlers.

Paddlers should have race or wilderness paddling experience, and all boats need to meet specifications defined on the race website.

As usual, the purse remains at C$36,500, based on a full roster of 100 teams.

The race includes just two mandatory rest stops, totalling 10 hours, and all paddlers are expected to reach the finish line in less than 55 hours in order to receive prize money.

Still, many attempt the route simply for the satisfaction of staking a claim on a coveted finishing pin in the historic Klondike.

Last year, 57 teams from 12 countries took part in the odyssey. Just 44 reached Dawson.

International kayak duo David Hutchison of Montana and Bob Ross of Ontario took the race title in 44:51:07.

Just four teams broke the 50-hour barrier as times were generally slower due to low river levels and stormy conditions as paddlers neared the finish.

The race’s heyday was in 2008, when 89 paddling teams registered for the 10th annual affair.

The record time of 39:32:43 was also set that year, as Canadian voyageur team “Kisseynew” set the near-untouchable mark.

Kern said he hopes the soaring U.S. dollar propels more American racers onto the River Quest scene.

“We might pick up a few,” he said. “The American dollar drove the numbers down originally after the crash in 2008. We had quite a drop and it’s taken a long time to get those people back.”

Regardless of numbers, the River Quest board’s target continues to be hosting a safe, fun race.

Race costs are C$850 for tandem canoes and kayaks, $475 for solo boats and $250 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers.