After several years' absence, the Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club is starting up its popular Wednesday night races beginning tonight on Schwatka Lake.

The races kick off at 7 p.m. starting from the Schwatka Lake boat launch.

Peter Coates of the Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club says the races are returning to Yukon waters this year due to popular demand, after the original race series stopped several years ago.

"They've been missing for three to four years,” Coates said. "We're trying to bring them back.”

The race route starts from the boat launch, loops up Schwatka lake to "the dragon” and heads back to the finish line for a total of five-kilometres.

"The dragon” is a familiar face at Schwatka Lake; it's a piece of driftwood that became permanently lodged in the lake. Years ago a face was painted on it to make it resemble a dragon, and this season Coates said a mystery artist has added a fresh coat of paint.

"Someone has spruced it up a bit for this year,” he said.

Serious paddlers have already been in the water since February training for upcoming races such as the Yukon River Quest, the Yukon 1,000 and the Yukon 360, but the new races will add a more social outlet and will allow them to see if their skills are improving.

"These races will enable them to show if it has made any difference,” Coates said.

The informal races are for any level of paddler, from beginner to Yukon River Quest-champions.

"The intent is to provide a bit of incentive to paddle hard in preparation for the big races later in the summer and to have a bit of fun,” Coates said.

The races stopped being held following the departure of one of the main organizers from the Yukon.

Coates said they are expecting a small turnout this week, but hope to see the races grow in popularity by the second running.

"We'll probably end up within the order of 10 boats each week,” he said.

The club is also hoping that the weekly series will draw in more members, particularly youth.

"We're trying to get some youth involvement,” Coates said. "We haven't got a lot of new blood.”

Once Chadburn Lake is open to kayaking, the club will begin holding shorter races there and start up a youth program.

"The idea is to get the kids involved as much as possible,” Coates said.

Youth who get involved with the club will get training in both kayaking and canoeing, Coates said.

Another goal of the club is to bring in first nations involvement, but Coates said they have yet to discuss a plan.

"It's a traditional thing for them,” he said. "If we could get first nations involvement in the canoe races that would be fantastic for everyone.”

While Coates expects a smaller turnout for the first week, he said there will be boats there to start off the season.

"There will be some people,' he said.

As the races progress, Coates said they will begin to handicap the more skilled racers by staggering the start in order to make the finishes more exciting, and ensure that new paddlers have a chance every week.

"That way it will not always be the same people coming first in their fast boats, and the finish could be really exciting as the field bunches up coming toward the finish line,” he said.

Those who show up will have a chance to pay their Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club membership dues, which they will require to participate in any of the club's many activities this season. The cost is $20 for the year, or $5 for a day, and includes liability.

Coates said the best deal is to purchase the year-long membership for a one-time fee.

"They need that membership anyway,” he said.

Each participant will receive a point for competing, and those who place fifth or higher will earn between two and eight points, the latter being for first place. The points will stack up over the summer and paddlers with the most points will be eligible for prizes.

The club is also gearing up for a season packed with races and events, beginning May 29 with the fourth annual Icebreaker.

The 25-km race will begin at the Marsh Lake Dam and finish at Schwatka Lake. Registration will begin at 9 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. at Schwatka Lake, and a shuttle will bring paddlers and their boats to the dam for the 11 a.m. race start. Racers are expected to finish up around 1 p.m.

Other events on the Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club's calendar include:

• The Yukon River Quest, the legendary race to the midnight sun runs from Whitehorse to Dawson beginning on June 30. The race is approximately two to three days over 700-km.

• The Yukon 1,000, runs from Whitehorse to the Dalton Highway Bridge in Alaska starting July 19. The race takes six to ten days over 1,600-km.

• The Chili and Beans Race from Whitehorse to the Takhini Bridge on Aug. 6 is about 20-km with chili at the bridge.

• The Yukon 360 will be run from Faro to Pelly Crossing this year over 300-km, taking place down the Pelly on the Discovery Day weekend from Aug. 14 to 16.

• The Autumn Classic goes up and down the McClintock River, a Saturday in early September, over about 15-km.