While many people were still in bed early Saturday morning, paddlers were gathering at Olmsted Beach, located at North Bay’s Trout Lake, with their sights set on completing the Mattawa River Canoe Race.
The first flight left from the shores of Trout Lake at 7:30 a.m.
The 64 km race, organized by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority is back after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.
Paddlers could find current water levels problematic.
“The water is quite low. In some areas it can be anywhere between six inches to 12 inches lower than the normal levels for this time of the year,” said race coordinator Paula Loranger.
“It is probably going to make them (paddlers) do more portages, instead of being able to run rapids in certain areas. It is a rocky route to begin with, so you take away some of that water and it gets really challenging for them.”
The route is comprised of 12 portages, five of which are mandatory.
“So for some, they may be doing an extra seven portages which could really impact their finishing times,” the race coordinator pointed out.
Participating in her first Mattawa River Canoe Race, Danielle Holdsworth is up for the challenge.
The London, Ontario resident may be taking the same historic route used by Indigenous peoples and Voyageurs, but her method of water travel is quite different.
Holdsworth is one of roughly three stand-up paddle boarders who set out to navigate their way along the long-distance route.
“I am really excited about marathon stand-up paddling, after doing the Huntsville 110 last year. The ultra marathons are really adventurous and exciting, so Mattawa was the perfect choice to continue to marathon,” said Holdsworth about her decision to sign up for this particular race.
Completing the course on a stand-up paddle board takes a great deal of stamina.
“It is a lot of core work, a lot of leg work actually. And it is a lot of time on the water just getting the miles in. The portaging will benefit my weightlifting background. I do a lot of Olympic weightlifting as well. I compete in Masters International competitions in weightlifting, so the legs are well conditioned to climbing and bending and portaging over rough terrain,” said Holdsworth.
Also key to reaching the finish line is staying hydrated and nourished along the route.
“I will carry four litres of water with me and then plan to refuel about halfway through the race. In that water I will have electrolytes and essentially liquid nutrition for events like this,” explained Holdsworth.
“And I pack peanut butter and honey sandwiches just in case I want to bite something, and that takes care of nutrition for me.”
Previously the longest distance she completed was 110 km in Huntsville last September.
“It took me 16 hours and 11 minutes. I was the first up across the line, so that was pretty exciting. And it was the same nutrition plan for that one.”
Holdsworth is aware of the current challenges brought on by low water levels.
“I would love to finish this in eight hours. I know the water is running pretty low right now, so we’ll see. If I have to slow down come the portages, anywhere between eight and nine hours would be a great finish for me.”
Also venturing out in his first Mattawa River Canoe Race is North Bay’s Matthew Trask.
His mode of transportation is his Kayak.
“I didn’t originally plan on doing this but my landlady pretty much told me everything to expect and I was in,” said Trask.
“I got a better, lighter kayak for the race. I’ve been practicing a lot in the last month. I haven’t done the whole route yet but I have done most of it. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends from work in Mattawa, and I just want to make it in one piece and have fun,” Trask laughed.
The portages will be the most gruelling part of the journey for this paddler.
“I’ve done most of them but I know they can be a bit of a challenge.”
The overall number of competitors is down slightly from 2019.
“But after a two-year hiatus, we’re happy. We’ve got 44 boats out there in the full race,” shared Loranger.
Stand-up paddle boards, pro boats, recreational boats, and kayaks will be on the river, making their way to the finish line at the Mattawa Island Conservation Area.
The full race is 64 km and the family/youth race leaving from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is 13 km. The shorter race is a good introduction for families or for people who just want to share in the experience.
“We have nine families going out and two other canoes going out and they’re just doing it for fun. So adults that are just getting out on the water and just being part of the event, “ stated Loranger.
The youngest participant in the family race is four years old and the oldest competitor in the 64 km race is 78 years old.
The time to beat going into Saturday’s race is five hours, 27 minutes, and 53 seconds set back in 1995.
“I don’t think this year is going to be the year that we’re going to come close to that,” Loranger added.
Like many other activities that are making a resurgence after COVID protocols were put in place, this race also underwent some changes.
“We moved everything online. All the pre-registration had to be online. We tried to reduce contact a little bit. We took away the banquet which is unfortunate but we’re setting up a little paddler’s village at the finish line. We’re going to have snacks, and the chance for people to safely mingle,” shared Loranger.
Participants arrived from near and far, eager to get out on the water after a two-year break, ready to take in some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.
“We have someone who is here all the way from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After speaking with him it just seemed that they heard about this race and thought it would be a good adventure and check out Northern Ontario at the same time,” said Loranger.
“And we have someone here from New Brunswick, and a lot from southern Ontario and Ottawa area.”
The Mattawa River is designated a Canadian Heritage River System.
