Experience Stewart Lake in Rotary's Annual Kayak Regatta

Stewart Lake in Woodbury stretches for miles around Evergreen Avenue and Cooper Street, but remains something of a hidden gem—though not if the Woodbury Breakfast Rotary Club has anything to say about it.

The Rotarians are holding their fifth annual kayak regatta on the lake complex Saturday morning, and are aiming to have at least 100 paddlers out to experience the simple pleasure of the open water.

“There’s a lot to do there, but people don’t think about it,” said Tony Brasberger, one of the organizers of the event.

Adults and kids alike will have the chance to try their hand at kayaking—registration is $10 for adults and $5 for kids—and even racing, as the event’s now a qualifier for the Barton Cup Challenge.

Besides the kayaks from Eastern Mountain Sports, the event will feature demonstrations on stand-up paddleboards from Extreme Windsurfing, boating safety information from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 32 from Westville, a free paddling clinic after the race and more.

They’ll also have refreshments available from the Woodbury Friendship Fire Company.

“We’re trying to grow it into a major event,” Brasberger said.

And the proceeds go on to fund the club’s charitable efforts, both locally and globally. The Rotarians support everything from the Woodbury Cooperative Ministries Food Bank to clean water programs overseas.

“Every dollar goes right back into the community,” Brasberger said. “Where there’s needs in the community, we’re there.”

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and launches from the Stewart Park dock area behind the YMCA on Red Bank Avenue. You can register online ahead of time at the Woodbury Breakfast Rotary's website.