105 paddlers in North Bay to race in the Mattawa River Canoe Race
(North Bay, June 7, 2024) One hundred and five paddlers in 59 canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards will be leaving Olmsted Beach in the early morning of Saturday, June 8 in the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s Mattawa River Canoe Race presented by Susan Weiskopf, Senior Financial Planner, IG.
“We have paddlers from all across the province and a few from outside Ontario as well”, said race coordinator Paula Loranger. “Since a good percentage of paddlers come from across the province, they will be staying in the community throughout the weekend”.
The canoe, kayak and stand-up paddlers in 12 categories will trace the historic route of the Voyageurs, making their way through lakes, rivers, fast moving water and up to 12 portages from Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake to Mattawa Island Conservation Area, passing through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.
A 13 km family and recreational adult (added in 2024) race will see 21 paddlers in 10 boats leave Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.
The first flight of paddlers leaves Olmsted Beach at 7:30 am Saturday, with categories leaving every 15 mins. The final paddlers head off at 8:15 am. The public is welcome to attend and cheer on the paddlers.
“We’ve had paddlers of all ages participate in the race from 4 years old in the 13 km race to 80 in the 64 km with some participating for 20, 25 even 30 years. Whether paddling 64 or 13 km in a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board, in a competitive or recreational category, the race has something for everyone,” added Loranger.
Race sponsors include Degagne Carpentry, Degagne Renovations, Ontario Northland, Redpath, Stock Transportation, City of North Bay, Comsatec, Coles Signs and Graphics, Tulloch, Canadore College Giesler Boats, Lake Talon Conservation Association, Clermont Duval, Report North Bay.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
You can follow NBMCA on facebook.com/NBMCA and twitter @theNBMCA
For more information, contact:
Paula Loranger, Community Relations Coordinator (705) 494-5115