Races are on whether rain or shine. Scroll further down for current river conditions.
Weather Forecast for October 7th:
Forecasts have been all over the map! Currently cloudy with showers; 17C; POP - 0%; Wind - 22 km/h S (as of Wednesday Oct 4)
The program for the Great Muskoka Paddling Experience will be passed out when you enter Annie Williams Park.
There are three race distances for individuals and tandems:
20 km with a start time of 10:45 am,
10 km with an approx start time of 11:35 am and
5 km with an approx start time of 11:40 am.
The North Canoe Challenge has one race course:
The distance is 8.6 km start at 8:50am in separate waves. This allows paddlers on these big canoes to race again on the 10km and 5km races.
For specific information go here. The big canoes will start and finish in front of Annie Williams Park.
The start line is at Bracebridge Bay, a paddling distance of 1.4 km from the put-in at Annie Williams Park. The finish line is at Annie Williams Park. Click here to see maps of the races.
These OMCKRA sanctioned races takes place on the Muskoka River, starting at Bracebridge Bay and continuing downstream. The 10km race turnarounds on the mark opposite the Santa's Village Park and returns upstream finishing at Annie Williams Park. The 20 km race enters the south branch of the Muskoka River, continues to the 1st turnaround marker short of Muskoka Falls, returns to main branch, continue downstream to the turnaround marker at Santa's Village Park finishing upstream at Annie Williams Park. The 5km race will starts after the 20 and 10km races at Bracebridge Bay, going downstream to the turnaround marker at Hairpin Bend and finishing at Annie Williams Park. There will be safety and checkpoint patrol boats present on the river.
Notice!
The wearing of PFDs (life jackets) is mandatory. As this event takes place after October 1st, Ontario Marathon Canoe Kayak Racing Association has this: Before May 1 and after October 1 all paddlers in every class must wear a lifejacket or PFD. It is not enough just to have a PFD on-board. We are under obligations to enforce this.
For this race, due to COLD water temperature, inflatable life jackets and belts are not acceptable.
[N.B Please scroll to bottom of this page for rationale]
Thank you for your understanding.
N.B. :LIV Outside is renting PFD's for $3.50 for the day.
Saturday morning registration will be underway at 8:00am at Annie Williams Park and ends at 9:45am sharp.
There will be Friday registration at LIV Outside from 5:00pm t0 8:00pm.
Fees Onsite Registration (Friday evening & Saturday morning): Adult $50; Youth (under 18) $40.
Online Registration: Adult $40, Youth (under 18) $30. (it's cheaper and faster to register online!)
(Above fees includes one-day OMCKRA membership - this provides insurance coverage)
[ OMCKRA and OCSRA members get $8 discount. ]
Click here for a list of boat categories.
At 8:30am for North Canoes, and 10:00am, there will be a pre-race information session describing the courses and rules.
Muskoka Paddle Shack will be on-site with pre-arranged boat rentals, forgotten gear etc.
Muskoka Paddle Shack's website or call 705.687.9415 / 1.888.448.4423 [Will deliver to registration site]
Algonquin Outfitters' website or call 1.800.469.4948 - [ Pick up only]
LIVOutside (formerly Muskoka Outfitters) website or call 705.646.0492 / 866.646.0492. [already on the river]
*** Do contact the above Outfitters ahead of time so they can supply your preferred rental boat and gear for you on time ***.
Lions Club of Bracebridge will provide onsite catering of breakfast and lunch starting at 7:30 am.
Proceeds go to Lions' charities.
Breakfast: Pancakes, sausages, pea-meal bacon, buns, muffins, yogurt, fruits and juices
Lunch: Hamburgers, Veggie burgers, sausages / chicken breast / pea-meal bacon on a bun, wieners, fruits plus drinks.
We have trophies, medals and prizes galore!
Hutchinson Environmental Sciences for the Fastest Male Paddler
Algonquin Outfitters Award for the Fastest Female Paddler
Bracebridge Generation Ltd. Award for the Fastest Junior Paddler(s)
Scotiabank Award for the Fastest Master Male Paddler
RBC Royal Bank Award for the Fastest Master Female Paddler
Ontario Winter Games Bell Legacy for the fastest Classic Canoe
Medals for the top three finishers in 35+ boat/distance categories!
Bonus: 1st 2nd & 3rd medals for Master individual male & female (60 years of age and over) regardless of boat category.
Plus lots of prizes and goodies by draw. Thanks to Algonquin Outfitters, Muskoka PaddleShack, LIV Outside, Kayak Sport Canada, Lady Muskoka, Santa's Village, RMS Segwun, Swiss Chalet, Bin There Dump That and Momma Bear's.
Weather Forecast for October 7th:
Forecasts have been all over the map! Currently cloudy with showers; 17C; POP - 0%; Wind - 22 km/h S (as of Wednesday Oct 4)
The program for the Great Muskoka Paddling Experience will be passed out when you enter Annie Williams Park.
There are three race distances for individuals and tandems:
20 km with a start time of 10:45 am,
10 km with an approx start time of 11:35 am and
5 km with an approx start time of 11:40 am.
The North Canoe Challenge has one race course:
The distance is 8.6 km start at 8:50am in separate waves. This allows paddlers on these big canoes to race again on the 10km and 5km races.
For specific information go here. The big canoes will start and finish in front of Annie Williams Park.
The start line is at Bracebridge Bay, a paddling distance of 1.4 km from the put-in at Annie Williams Park. The finish line is at Annie Williams Park. Click here to see maps of the races.
These OMCKRA sanctioned races takes place on the Muskoka River, starting at Bracebridge Bay and continuing downstream. The 10km race turnarounds on the mark opposite the Santa's Village Park and returns upstream finishing at Annie Williams Park. The 20 km race enters the south branch of the Muskoka River, continues to the 1st turnaround marker short of Muskoka Falls, returns to main branch, continue downstream to the turnaround marker at Santa's Village Park finishing upstream at Annie Williams Park. The 5km race will starts after the 20 and 10km races at Bracebridge Bay, going downstream to the turnaround marker at Hairpin Bend and finishing at Annie Williams Park. There will be safety and checkpoint patrol boats present on the river.
Notice!
The wearing of PFDs (life jackets) is mandatory. As this event takes place after October 1st, Ontario Marathon Canoe Kayak Racing Association has this: Before May 1 and after October 1 all paddlers in every class must wear a lifejacket or PFD. It is not enough just to have a PFD on-board. We are under obligations to enforce this.
For this race, due to COLD water temperature, inflatable life jackets and belts are not acceptable.
[N.B Please scroll to bottom of this page for rationale]
Thank you for your understanding.
N.B. :LIV Outside is renting PFD's for $3.50 for the day.
Saturday morning registration will be underway at 8:00am at Annie Williams Park and ends at 9:45am sharp.
There will be Friday registration at LIV Outside from 5:00pm t0 8:00pm.
Fees Onsite Registration (Friday evening & Saturday morning): Adult $50; Youth (under 18) $40.
Online Registration: Adult $40, Youth (under 18) $30. (it's cheaper and faster to register online!)
(Above fees includes one-day OMCKRA membership - this provides insurance coverage)
[ OMCKRA and OCSRA members get $8 discount. ]
Click here for a list of boat categories.
At 8:30am for North Canoes, and 10:00am, there will be a pre-race information session describing the courses and rules.
Muskoka Paddle Shack will be on-site with pre-arranged boat rentals, forgotten gear etc.
Muskoka Paddle Shack's website or call 705.687.9415 / 1.888.448.4423 [Will deliver to registration site]
Algonquin Outfitters' website or call 1.800.469.4948 - [ Pick up only]
LIVOutside (formerly Muskoka Outfitters) website or call 705.646.0492 / 866.646.0492. [already on the river]
*** Do contact the above Outfitters ahead of time so they can supply your preferred rental boat and gear for you on time ***.
Lions Club of Bracebridge will provide onsite catering of breakfast and lunch starting at 7:30 am.
Proceeds go to Lions' charities.
Breakfast: Pancakes, sausages, pea-meal bacon, buns, muffins, yogurt, fruits and juices
Lunch: Hamburgers, Veggie burgers, sausages / chicken breast / pea-meal bacon on a bun, wieners, fruits plus drinks.
We have trophies, medals and prizes galore!
Hutchinson Environmental Sciences for the Fastest Male Paddler
Algonquin Outfitters Award for the Fastest Female Paddler
Bracebridge Generation Ltd. Award for the Fastest Junior Paddler(s)
Scotiabank Award for the Fastest Master Male Paddler
RBC Royal Bank Award for the Fastest Master Female Paddler
Ontario Winter Games Bell Legacy for the fastest Classic Canoe
Medals for the top three finishers in 35+ boat/distance categories!
Bonus: 1st 2nd & 3rd medals for Master individual male & female (60 years of age and over) regardless of boat category.
Plus lots of prizes and goodies by draw. Thanks to Algonquin Outfitters, Muskoka PaddleShack, LIV Outside, Kayak Sport Canada, Lady Muskoka, Santa's Village, RMS Segwun, Swiss Chalet, Bin There Dump That and Momma Bear's.
Free Shuttle Bus Service
Paddlers! Bring your family members, support crew up and keep them occupied with our Shuttle Bus Service to Farmer's Market and downtown retailers while you race.
Route Map here. Starts at 10am ends at 1pm. Thanks to Bracebridge's BIA!
Paddlers! Bring your family members, support crew up and keep them occupied with our Shuttle Bus Service to Farmer's Market and downtown retailers while you race.
Route Map here. Starts at 10am ends at 1pm. Thanks to Bracebridge's BIA!
For only $2.00, enjoy hot Showering and Changing at the Bracebridge Sportplex before making the drive home. This is a special deal for paddlers!
Directions here.
Directions here.
Weather and River Conditions for Race Day Oct 7th (2017).
Finally, an excellent forecast! Sunny; 15C (not too hot, not too cold); POP - 20%; Wind - 18 km/h SE (as of Monday Oct 2)
The Muskoka river' water level has dropped slightly Not an issue for paddlers as the average depth is 3 meters. However there is a 100m section of the 20km course where the depth becomes 1 meter. [This is more a concern for the safety and checkpoint motorboats]. This will be reminded at the pre-race information meeting. River currents are currently very minimal. [Written Sept 26, 2016]
There are several sharp and blind bends on the race courses and more so on the 20km South Muskoka River section. Please read the next paragraph in the interests of avoiding collisions between boats meeting each other at the bends.
- Going downstream – stick to the middle of the river or slightly wide. The current is generally strongest in the deeper channel.
- Going upstream - move closer to the river banks but not too close to shallow waters as this will drag you down (this is called the bottom effect, wave effect, Bernoulli's Principle, suck water, Squat effect – lots of names for this). There will be many tactical decisions whether to stay with the bank, cross over to the other side as the river turns. Get out in the open to get wind assist but being in the middle expose you to the current. Make every effort to avoid collisions.
Paddlers will have to assess the river current at Annie Williams Park whether they will have the stamina to make the upstream paddling effort. There is a fleet of safety and checkpoint motorboats that will assist you if requested.
A cautionary note - watch out for eddies at the starting area and where the south branch of the river joins the main branch. There is no white water but we have seen paddlers accidentally roll when the paddle blade did not encounter the usual water resistance. Due to reduced river flow, this is not a big issue.
Links to published articles:
2015 Stories:
- Bracebridge Examiner: Story
2014 Stories:
- Town of Bracebridge supports races by $1,500 Event Tourism Grant: story
2013 Stories:
- Muskoka Watershed Council media release: story
- Town of Bracebridge media release: story
- Bracebridge Weekender: story
Finally, an excellent forecast! Sunny; 15C (not too hot, not too cold); POP - 20%; Wind - 18 km/h SE (as of Monday Oct 2)
The Muskoka river' water level has dropped slightly Not an issue for paddlers as the average depth is 3 meters. However there is a 100m section of the 20km course where the depth becomes 1 meter. [This is more a concern for the safety and checkpoint motorboats]. This will be reminded at the pre-race information meeting. River currents are currently very minimal. [Written Sept 26, 2016]
There are several sharp and blind bends on the race courses and more so on the 20km South Muskoka River section. Please read the next paragraph in the interests of avoiding collisions between boats meeting each other at the bends.
- Going downstream – stick to the middle of the river or slightly wide. The current is generally strongest in the deeper channel.
- Going upstream - move closer to the river banks but not too close to shallow waters as this will drag you down (this is called the bottom effect, wave effect, Bernoulli's Principle, suck water, Squat effect – lots of names for this). There will be many tactical decisions whether to stay with the bank, cross over to the other side as the river turns. Get out in the open to get wind assist but being in the middle expose you to the current. Make every effort to avoid collisions.
Paddlers will have to assess the river current at Annie Williams Park whether they will have the stamina to make the upstream paddling effort. There is a fleet of safety and checkpoint motorboats that will assist you if requested.
A cautionary note - watch out for eddies at the starting area and where the south branch of the river joins the main branch. There is no white water but we have seen paddlers accidentally roll when the paddle blade did not encounter the usual water resistance. Due to reduced river flow, this is not a big issue.
Links to published articles:
2015 Stories:
- Bracebridge Examiner: Story
2014 Stories:
- Town of Bracebridge supports races by $1,500 Event Tourism Grant: story
2013 Stories:
- Muskoka Watershed Council media release: story
- Town of Bracebridge media release: story
- Bracebridge Weekender: story
Why disallow inflatables?
The primary basis of disallowing inflatables is that the Muskoka River is COLD in October. Colder than in the summer and we are further north than GTA.
Inflatable life-jackets provide little or no thermal protection.
It has been noted that inflatables would not necessarily be inflated by people who fall in but expect to continue to race. Continuing to paddle with a inflated PFD is very awkward, so there is a disincentive to inflate. Also when you deflate them they are no longer valid and legal because the cartridge has been used. Unless you insert a spare cartridge. This event attracts paddlers of all levels of skills and ability. Safety of of our paddlers is paramount in October.
If you do not own a regular PFD and if that is your reason for not racing, we have a local outfitter renting them for $3.50 per day.
For more background on cold water: www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html
The primary basis of disallowing inflatables is that the Muskoka River is COLD in October. Colder than in the summer and we are further north than GTA.
Inflatable life-jackets provide little or no thermal protection.
It has been noted that inflatables would not necessarily be inflated by people who fall in but expect to continue to race. Continuing to paddle with a inflated PFD is very awkward, so there is a disincentive to inflate. Also when you deflate them they are no longer valid and legal because the cartridge has been used. Unless you insert a spare cartridge. This event attracts paddlers of all levels of skills and ability. Safety of of our paddlers is paramount in October.
If you do not own a regular PFD and if that is your reason for not racing, we have a local outfitter renting them for $3.50 per day.
For more background on cold water: www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html
