March 7, 2022

The race is on! The Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) is pleased to announce that its 49th annual Raisin River Canoe Race is set to take place this year on Sunday, April 10. The immensely popular springtime event was cancelled for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the longest canoe races in eastern Ontario, the Raisin River Canoe Race attracts hundreds of participants, who paddle through a 30-kilometre racecourse from St. Andrew’s West in South Stormont to Williamstown in South Glengarry while being cheered on by enthusiastic shoreline supporters.

“Ever since the first Raisin River Canoe Race in 1973, the event has been like a rite of spring for both residents and visitors to the area,” says RRCA Canoe Race Coordinator, Lissa Deslandes. “Thanks to the support from many local organizations and sponsors, as well as the Race Safety Committee, the RRCA has been able to continuously coordinate a successful race throughout the decades.”

The Canoe Race is always held during the spring melt, when water levels on the Raisin River are high and flows are favourable. Contestants get a front-row seat to the natural beauty of the Raisin River and surrounding landscape, as the river’s racecourse meanders through agricultural lands, villages, rapids, and forests.

The public is encouraged to check the RRCA’s social media channels and website at rrca.on.ca for upcoming event details and announcements, such as online pre-registration for participants. Businesses and organizations looking to sponsor this year’s Canoe Race can contact Lissa Deslandes at (613) 938-3611 ext. 237 or Lissa.Deslandes@rrca.on.ca. Covid-19 precautions will be in place for the event, in coordination with local public health officials.

For more information, please go to rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.