April 10, 2022

Paddlers compete against the Devil's Chute rapids during the 49th annual Raisin River Canoe Race.

On the chilly Sunday morning of April 10, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority’s (RRCA) 49th annual Raisin River Canoe Race left St. Andrews West, winding its way downstream to Williamstown as a flotilla of canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. A total of 364 paddlers in 222 boats registered for this year's race. 

The forecasted flurries didn’t dampen the festive atmosphere as paddlers of all ages, from near and far, entertained spectators along the 30-kilometre route. The race had been put on hold for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“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 and volunteers, the RRCA has been able to continuously coordinate a successful race throughout the decades.”

This year’s race benefited from the recent rain, which helped raise water levels. Fast flows of 1400 cubic feet per second propelled paddlers along the river. Unfortunately, the Martintown dam was closed to paddlers due to safety concerns from the high water levels and flows. 

Several competitors pulled out after experiencing an early cold-water dip at the first set of rapids, the Devil’s Chute. A total of 15 boats did not finish the Race this year.

The fastest time down the River was the Pro Boat Tandem of Mike De Abreu and Seb Courville (of Arnprior) in a time of 2:10:50. 

Full interim results are available at rrca.on.ca/results.

Other top finishers by category were:

•    Pro Boats: Jeff Brainard (Roslin) & Gaetan Plourde (North Gower), Daniel Mallett (Chelsea) & Joanna Fallon (Ottawa), Sarah Lessard (Les Cèdres) & Jeffrey Defeo (Huntington)

•    17 Foot Open: Bill McGowan (Mississauga) & Conor Abrahams (Nepean), Scott Galt & Maxine Galt (Ottawa), Jordan Brault & Scott Brault (Ottawa)

•    Adult and Youth: Simon Frei & Phillip Frei (Maxville), Willy Suter & Rhea Suter (Alfred), Michael Decoeur & François Decoeur (Glen Robertson)

•    Men’s Long Kayaks: Robert Ross (Kingston), Brad Spooner (Kanata), Richard Germain (Pointe-Des-Cascades)

•    Women’s Long Kayaks: Dena Kaplan (Ottawa), Tammy Tripp (Ingleside)

•    Men’s Short Kayaks: Ian Walter (Montréal), Rick Clancy (Gloucester), Ivan Cyr (St. Lazare)

•    Women’s Short Kayaks: Gabrielle Farley (Cornwall), Gouner Durocher (Rigaud), Christine Millman (Alexandria)

•    Double Kayaks: Wendy Bray Van Loon (St. Andrews West) & Erin Plasse (St. Eugene), Olivia McDonald (Lunenburg) & Anna Parks (St. Andrews West), Marc Villarta (Ottawa) & Klayton Villarta (Cornwall)

•    Men's Recreational: Max Finkelstein (Ottawa), Paul Terry (Stirling), Dave Robertson (Bainsville) & Lachlan McDonald (Williamstown)

•    Women's Recreational: Allie Fickes (St. Andrews West) & Kaitlyn Waldorf (Ingleside), Shawna Corbet (Lancaster) & Jessica Fisher (Cornwall), Jordan Lalonde & Kayla Groulx (Cornwall)

•    Mixed Recreational: Michael Creamer (Dorval) & Helen Chan (LaSalle), Ian Levac & Anik Levac (Valleyfield), Eva Kwiatkowski & Brendan Watson (Ottawa)

•    Student Men: Jack Edwards (Martintown) & Tylor Williams (Lancaster), Zachary Hall & Leo Dorie (Martintown), Kieran O’Connell & Fraser Mcdonell (Williamstown)

•    Student Women: Maggie Hope (Williamstown) & Elizabeth Edwards (Martintown), Tessa Ramsay (Martintown) & Julia Cameron (St. Andrews West), Hailey Berger (Martintown) & Amber Mallette (Cornwall)

•    SUP: Simon Ethier Mayer (St-Hippolyte), Rachelle Cardinal (London), Julie Colgan (London)

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