The canoe races are run in elimination heats. Teams of four (4) men or women from a club compete. Usually four (4) teams are in a heat and the winners of heats race each other again. The competing teams start from a designated line, proceed to and around a buoy and return to the starting line. First place trophies are awarded to a men’s team and a women’s team who represent their respective yacht clubs.

The canoe tug-o-war consists of two (2) teams of twelve (12). Three canoes are lashed together on each side representing East (GCBA) and West (AYC) affiliated clubs. A trophy is awarded to the teams which pulls their opponents across a designated line.