Paddlers from across Ontario will gather at North Bay’s Olmsted Beach on Saturday morning to take part in the longest one day canoe race in Ontario.
The 64 km Mattawa River Canoe Race, presented by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) traces the historic route of the voyageurs through lakes, rivers, fast water and several portages to Mattawa Island Conservation Area. It's considered a very challenging course, and pre-running the route is recommended.
According to a news release by the Authority, this year the 64 km paddlers must pre-register and attend a mandatory safety briefing on Friday, between 5:30 and 9:30 pm at Olmstead Beach. Safety briefings will be held at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.
There will be no registrations accepted the morning of the race. A participant’s guide is available online at http://www.nbmca.on.ca
“We’ve had paddlers of all ages participate in the race from 8 in the 13 km race to 78 in the 64 km with some participating for 15, 20 and even 25 years. Some people are surprised to hear the average age in the marathon is 48.
With a variety of skill sets from competitive to recreational, for canoes and kayaks, the race has something for everyone,” explains Brian Tayler, CAO of NBMCA.
“At 13 km long, the family and youth races are perfect opportunities for younger paddlers to experience the thrill of the race and the history of the area,” he added. The family and youth races launch from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park at noon and run 13 km to Mattawa Island with one portage at Hurdman Dam.
There will be a safety briefing for family/youth race participants at 11:45 am before the race start.
The day’s events conclude with an awards banquet at the Mike Rodden Arena (upstairs) in Mattawa, with prizes awarded in each category.
The general public can join in the excitement at the pre-race public hike on Friday, at 9:30 am at Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area guided by forester Fred Pinto.
Race sponsors include BDO Canada, Redpath, Foster Wild Environmental Fund, Twigg’s Coffee Roasters, Giesler Boat Builders, Canor Construction and Slingchoker. Proceeds support NBMCA’s stewardship and outreach programs.
The public is invited to watch the start of the race which begins at Olmsted Beach, North Bay at 7:30 am or cheer on the canoeists at various checkpoints.
A map of the route, marking the three checkpoints at Pine Lake, Pimisi Lake and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, is available online. More information about the Mattawa River Canoe Race can be found online at www.nbmca.on.ca or by contacting the NBMCA at (705) 474-5420.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with environmental needs of the region’s watershed.
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