Update:
Fiona and Mike Vincent of Regina captured the Fastest Overall Time trophy, finishing with a time of 6:09:38, ahead of second place finishers Derek and Robert Reed from Sudbury with a time of 6:13:20.
All other race results and photos will be available on Monday, July 30 on the NBMCA’s website located at www.nbmca.on.ca.
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A record 140 paddlers put their skills and stamina to the test during the 42nd Annual Mattawa River Canoe Race Saturday.
Organized by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, the 64 kilometre route starts at Olmsted Beach in North Bay, ending at the Mattawa Island Conservation Area.
A 13 kilometre Family/Junior race left from Samuel de Champlain Park, also finishing at the conservation area in Mattawa.
“Smoke from the forest fires shouldn’t affect the race. We’ve got a westerly wind this morning, so that will give them a little bit of a boost with the wind at their back. The water levels are low, so once they get down into the river past Lake Talon, it’s going to slow them down a little bit because they’re probably going to have more portages than normal,” said race coordinator Paula Loranger.
Canoe, kayak and stand up paddleboard competitors registered in one of 13 categories.
“We have some pro-marathon boats and some recreational categories, so we have a little bit of everything,” explained NBMCA Chief Administrative Officer, Brian Tayler.
A group of eight friends from 22 Wing CFB North Bay registered their 25 foot North Canoe in the Voyageur category.
Going by the name “Harvey’s Hero’s Canoe Team in Support of Soldier On” the team set out to raise both awareness and money for the Soldier On program.
“The program is set up for current serving and former members who have suffered physical and, or mental injuries. It provides fitness equipment and sports equipment because they believe that physical fitness will help with recovery,” said Sergeant Andy Carr 22 Wing.
Originally from North Bay, Mark Clout returned to celebrate his 30th year in the competition. Now in his late 70’s, Bob Vincent from Dorchester, Ontario had the honour of being the most senior paddler.
“We have competitors from five different provinces this year. It’s amazing to see people coming all the way from British Columbia for our race. One of them is a new boat and they’re accustomed to doing marathon races across the country so it’s exciting to have them here,” said Loranger.
Another newcomer is Ottawa resident, John Mesman.
“Finishing will be a highlight, but if I can’t finish at least I’ll have had a good, fun day on the water. This is my very first race up here, so it’s pretty exciting. It’s also the longest paddle I’ll ever have to do, until maybe next year. I’m probably not that well prepared, but we’ll find out,” laughed Mesman.
His paddling partner Eric McGill has canoed various sections of the route in the past, but never the entire 64 kilometres.
“This is my first time in the race too. I’m looking forward to showing John the scenery and how beautiful and historic this river is. I’m a big history nerd, so he’s going to get an earful the whole time,” he said grinning.
Sonja Maviglia from Carleton Place shouted words of encouragement to her husband Peter Cluette and friend David Hallam as they got set to follow in the footsteps of the 19th-century voyageurs.
It’s the second time Peter has competed in the race, and the first time for David.
“They’re very excited. Peter has done the route already, so he knows what to expect. David is a little nervous, but he’s quite a paddler so I think he’ll do just fine,” said Maviglia.
“Last year, Peter paddled with a friend of his who grew up in North Bay, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself and wanted to do it again this year, and David was up for the challenge.”
The record time to beat is 5 hours, 27 minutes, 53 seconds, set back in 1995.
