The race is always fun, but the portages are tough!
Best part is finishing.
I’ve done a lot of races and this is one I love the most.
Best race in Ontario.
The paddling community at this race is wonderful.
Sixty three teams from across the country participated in North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s 41st Annual Mattawa River Canoe Race. Paddlers launched from Olmsted Beach, North Bay and made their way through the 64 km trek, five mandatory portages and moderate water levels to Mattawa Island, competing for the top spot in the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s race.
Mark Clout of Port Colborne and Dean Brown Hamilton captured the Fastest Overall Time trophy, finishing with a time of 6:03:05, ahead of second place finishers Art Walker-Jones from Winnipeg and Glen Dawson of Bracebridge with a time of 6:08:53.
An additional 7 teams took part in the 13 km family race and junior races, launched from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.
Race with the pros or join the recreational paddlers as they paddle and portage their canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards 64 km from Trout Lake, North Bay to the Mattawa Island Conservation Area.
The scenery is spectacular, the portages are challenging, the pride of accomplishment earns you bragging rights for following in the historic wake of Voyageurs who followed the path of the Huron and Ojibway as they travelled this Heritage River enroute between the Great Lakes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
A 13 km family and youth race launches from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, joining the finish line at Mattawa Island (with only 1 portage) to give beginners and up-and-coming paddlers a taste of the river and the race.
Awards Banquet
The coveted NBMCA Mattawa River Canoe Race Trophy is awarded to the team with the best overall time. Category champions are awarded with unique medals. Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each category with Category champions being honoured with a unique medal that captures the spirit of the race and the region. Participants who pre-register by June 30 receive a memento of their accomplishment.
Paddlers who have participated in the race for five, ten, or fifteen years enter the Five and Dime Club and receive commemorative pins. (Would you believe there are paddlers who've raced 25+ years? And the oldest paddler - 78 years young!)
All proceeds from the race and sponsorship support the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s Stewardship and Outreach Programs including the Chippewa Creek EcoPath and the Adopt-the-Creek Program and Restore Your Shore.
In 2016, fifty-six teams took part in the 64 km Mattawa River Canoe Race. Another 7 teams took part in the 13 km Family Race. Check out the Race Results!
For more information, please contact the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
Paula Loranger at (705) 474-5420 ext. 2002 or Email Us
Mattawa River Canoe Race
