The Great Muskoka Paddling Experience is pleased to host ....

The North Canoe Challenge

In Celebration of Canada's Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary since Confederation in 1967.
Voyager Canoes are playing a role in highlighting the sesquicentennial celebrations.
Ontario will see groups on voyager canoes paddling for several days on traditional canoe routes arriving at Ottawa noon July 1st . See http://voyageurbrigade.org/

The North Canoe Challenge is for those who want to race on these big canoes in an end-of-season event for bragging rights, fame and glory.

Dragon Boats & War Canoes (C15) can participate too!.

Date and Time:
Saturday 7th, October, 2017
Pre race information meeting 8:30am
Race Start 8:50am in waves. Max of 10 boats per wave.  Order of starts: Warcanoes (C15), Dragonboats, North Canoes.

Registration:
Online only in advance. [Online registration will open July and ends early September]
Maximum of 20 participating North Canoes.  Dragon Boats and Warcanoes (C15) are welcomed.

Race Course:
On the Muskoka River, Bracebridge.
Start and Finish Line: in front of Annie Williams Memorial Park.

There are two race courses: 
For the 26' North Canoes:
Turnaround markers at Hairpin Bend (2.1 km from start line) and at start line.
The race course will loop twice for total distance of 8.4km.

For the Warcanoes (C15) and Dragonboats:
Turnaround marker at Santa's Village (4.3 km from start line).
The race course will loop once for total distance of 8.6km.

There is a slight and very manageable river current of 1-2km/hr. After a heavy rainstorm, this can increase to be a consideration.
See map 

Fees:
$240 per mixed team (6 paddlers) who brings their own North Canoe boat to the event.
$340 per mixed team (6 paddlers). GMPE will provide a limited number of North Canoes.
North Canoes can accommodate 4 to 10 paddlers with 6 being the optimum number.

$600 per mixed team (15 paddlers) who brings their own War Canoe (C15) to the event.
$880 per mixed team (22 on board) who brings their own Dragon Boat to the event.
Credit of $8.00 per paddler if member of one of Canoe Kayak Ontario affiliates.

Big Canoe  paddlers can continue to participate on following GMPE 10km and 5km races. No extra fee for this.They will have to register online additionally as well. Due to time and logistical constraints, the 20km race should not be considered.

Rules and Information:
Full personal flotation device (PFD) are to be worn. No inflating PFDs nor belts are allowed (the water is cold in October!)

The race course involves rounding the markers three times. This means that teams must be experienced and practiced to negotiate rounding the markers in an efficient and safe manner. Things can get very hairy and hectic when many are rounding the markers at the same time.

A BIG Canoe does not turn nor stop quickly. Allowances must be made when approaching river bends. There are two blind bends on this course. In the interests of avoiding collisions between boats approaching each other at the bends, consider these:
- Going downstream – stick to the middle of the river or slightly wide of the bend. The current is generally stronger in the deeper middle channel.
- Going upstream - move closer to the river banks.

There will be several safety motorboats spread out over the race course.