Local Canoe race now qualifier for World Championships

Mattawa, Ontario- The 2006 Canadian National Marathon Canoe/Kayak Championships are being held in the Mattawa-Bonfield Region on July 26-28th.

The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the most exciting and toughest Canadian Nationals ever. This event is now a Marathon World Team qualifying event for the Worlds in France 2006.

“Inspired by the World Masters Games in Edmonton, we will be welcoming the sprint racing community to another marathon Nationals,” commented Allyson MacDonald, Race Director. There will be the traditional C2 classes and ICF K1, K2, C1 and C2 classes for each age and sex category. There are also recreational canoe and kayak classes. The 20 km course will include one portage, an upstream section, a 13 km down stream straight away and multiple buoy turns with loops through the middle of downtown Mattawa. All ICF boats adult and junior will race this 20 km course.

As part of Outdoor Adventure Week July 22-29th, the 2006 Canadian National Marathon Canoe/Kayak Championships plus the Lost in the Rocks and Trees Mountain Bike Enduro ( July 22nd) and the 30th Mattawa River Canoe Race (July 29th) will provide the plenty of opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast to experience the Mattawa Bonfield Region.

“In order to successful host such high caliber events, the Organizing Committee is asking for volunteers from the entire Blue Sky Region and Northern Ontario to assist in making the Outdoor Adventure Week a huge success,” commented David Thompson, Economic Development Officer for the Mattawa Bonfield EDC.

In particular, importance of 2006 Canadian National Marathon Canoe/Kayak Championships further promotes the Mattawa Bonfield Region national and internationally as a historic and premier outdoor adventure destination”, added David Thompson, Economic Development Officer.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for one or all three events, please contact David Thompson, EDO at 705-776-2225 or email [email protected].

Submitted to BayToday.ca