36th Annual Mattawa River Canoe Race goes Saturday

NBMCA News Release

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North Bay Mayor Al McDonald to kick off Race from Olmsted Beach

Date: Saturday, July 28, 2012
Time: 7:30 am horn
Location: Olmsted Beach, Trout Lake, Lakeside Dr., North Bay

The 36th Annual Mattawa River Canoe Race promises to be a grueling 64 km this year with low water conditions adding to the challenge. Normally faced with five mandatory portages, paddlers can expect to portage up to 12 spots along the route this year. This race, a sanctioned Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association event, can see between 30 to 40 kayaks and canoes on the water competing in a variety of categories. This year a Voyageur canoe team comprised of OPP officers will join the race. Paddlers depart Olmsted Beach with the race ending at Mattawa Island Conservation Area. A 13 km family and youth race departs from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park at noon.

Race start times:
Recreational women’s & mixed 7:30 am
Recreational men’s 7:45 am
Kayak 8:00 am
C-2 8:30 am
Voyageur Class 8:45 am
Recreational Family/Junior 12 noon (Samual de Champlain Park)

A pre-race hike takes place at Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area at 9:30 am Friday, July 27, guided by the NBMCA Naturalist.

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