On April 11th, I was excited to attend the Raisin Region Conservation Authority 53rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race, a well-known local attraction featuring a nearly 30-kilometre course from St. Andrews West to Williamstown, Ontario with challenging sections of rapids which always draw hundreds of spectators. With water temperature registering at a balmy 5 degrees Celsius, it was not for the faint of heart. The event broke last year’s registration record selling out at over 500 registrations which meant day-of-registrations were not permitted due to the race’s safety plan.
There were thirty categories of races which included single and double canoes and kayaks and the increasingly popular Paddleboards (I counted 38). I spent the day travelling from Devil’s Chute in St. Andrews to the Martintown dam, and finally to the finish line in Williamstown. As usual, it was an amazing event!
The fastest time down the Raisin River – 2 hours and 27 minutes – was claimed by Robert Ross and Jeff Brainard in a double kayak. Full interim results are available at rrca.on.ca/Results
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