Click on photo to enlarge.

Mike is the old geezer in the stern looking intently at the upcoming rapids. With partner Bruce Raymond they came first in the Open Recreational class at the 2008 Upper Jock River Canoe Race. Photo courtesy of Totalphoto

• Don't forget the Friends of the Jock River Photo Contest
  Bring your camera and snap a few pics - it's open to everyone and there are fabulous prizes.
  Photos relating to the river anywhere in the Jock River Watershed are eligible.



• The Friends of the Jock River have compiled a summary of Canoe/Kayak Trips on the Jock.
  This contains some good safety information applicable to the Race.

Report on 2008 North Bay - Mattawa Race

A day that started out with high hopes for record times due to the high water turned sour while most paddlers were on Lake Talon, about halfway through the course. That bane of canoeists and race organizers alike, a violent electrical storm, caught up to the racers. As I sat in relative comfort in a vehicle at the Pimisi Lake picnic ground, I cringed with each crash of thunder and crackle of lightning and the downpour of rain. Fortunately, as it turned out, only one canoe was sufficiently affected to drop out of the race, although most lost time. As the storm passed away, it was gratifying to finally see the paddlers passing along the far shore of the lake and disappearing down the "Decharge des perches" rapids. Finally, the sun came out and the remainder of the journey was quite pleasant.

Despite the inclusion of a kayak class for the first time, only one kayak participated, that being Shawn Menard, one of our Jock River racers. I must say I don't envy anyone carrying a kayak over some of those portages.

A rather disappointing turnout included a few other Ottawa area and Jock River racers: Gunther Krausbar and Ellen Pazdzior again winning the Rec. "A" Mixed class, Otto Schreiber and Marvin Doran second in the Rec. "B" class, Stephen Hebert second in the C1 class, Yannick and Wanda Lockhead first in the Rec. "B" Mixed class.

A few photos and videos of the event.

Jock Race Info An early start to canoeing!!! At age 4 Ethan Bournival has completed 3 Upper Jock races Check out canoe #33 on the Totalphoto site for action photos Winners of the Trailhead Trophy for the Family Class were: the Davies family of Stittsville - Dwight, Julie & Matthew 2008 Race Results 2008 Race Photos by Totalphoto Want a photo but don't know the canoe number? Look it up in the results.

General Interest C1 wanted.  Click on Buy/Sell here or above. 2007 Richmond Fair parade How do YOU portage your canoe? 2007 North Bay-Mattawa Race Zaveral paddle dealer Totalphoto 2008 Pakenham Canoe & Kayak Regatta - Sat. Jun. 14, 2008 Results  2008 Raisin River Race - Sun. Apr.20 OMCRA Website 2008 Membership Form Webguy's comments

Contact Us

Your Name:
Your E-Mail:
Your Comments or Questions

or email:  jrhiley@sympatico.ca

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2007 Richmond Fair Parade

On the 2 km "portage" from South Carleton High School to the Richmond Fair Grounds.
Steve and Lynne Hebert (carrying canoe) with alternate carriers Dave and Lynn Pearen
accompanied by Steve's mother, participate in the annual Richmond Fair Parade on Sat. Sept. 15, 2007.

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How do YOU portage your canoe?

The following methods were observed on the Pine Lake Portage (Portage "Pin de Musique") at the 2007 Mattawa River Race.

• The Arm Stretcher


• The Split Carry


• Can the girls see where they're going?


• In a hurry


• A reasonable compromise

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2007 North Bay - Mattawa Race - Sat. July 28, 2007

• Low water and unfavourable winds caused slower than usual times.



• Despite the conditions, Heather Pennie and Stacy Haner , both of Manitoulin Island, set a Class record of 7:37:43 in the Women's Recreational division.



• Another exceptional performance by Jock River Racers Steve Hebert and Lynne Hebert was tempered by late race dehydration caused by an early loss of Lynne's fluid supply - still good enough to win their class though.



• Other "Jock River" participants were Soern Petersen, Otto Schreiber, Marvin Doran, Pierre Mirault, Claude Roux, Wayne and Michael Gregory.



• After last year's record turnout, participation this year was the lowest in some time.



• Results are available on the Conservation Authority website.



• Watch for photos.

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Pakenham Canoe/Kayak Regatta - Sat. Jun. 9, 2007 Information, Past Results, Photos, Videos at: Pakenham Canoe/Kayak Regatta A great day on the Mississippi - watch their website for results, photos, etc. Click on photo to enlarge Back to top

Zaveral Paddles for Sale! Mark Gibeault of Manitowaning on Manitoulin Island is now a distributor for Zaveral Racing Equipment (ZRE) among other things. See his website at bypathorpaddle.com for the full lineup. For Zaveral paddles he is offering: Competitive pricing and free shipping to OMCRA members z-medium, z-light, powerstroke light and dragonboat paddles in stock now! Repairs and parts also available. Contact Mark Gibeault 705-859-1683 mgibeault@amtelecom.net Webguy's comments: Mark and his racing partner, Andre Leblanc, have been faithful participants in the North Bay - Mattawa Race for many years, and also organize the Mindemoya Classic Run-paddle-pedal triathlon at Mindemoya on "the Island". Mark's wife, Heather Pennie, is also a very competitive paddler (together they won the Mixed Class at the 2007 Nonquon Race) and partner in the business. Back to top

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Jay Morrison's Great Canadian Canoe Quest
2007 Raisin River Results
Duckworks  Photo story of William R. Watt's "Jock River Punt"

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Great photos by professional photographers make lasting mementos of your participation.

Totalphoto

A neat thing about this website is being able to search for photos of your canoe or kayak by entering your number. Try it, it's fun!

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The Great Canadian Canoe Quest

Jay Morrison Participates in the 2007 Jock Race

Left to right - Brian Finch John Hiley Jay Morrison Tom Wright Click to enlarge photo

Jay Morrison is about to begin the second half of a cross-Canada paddle to raise funds for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Information about the Society and his trip can be seen on the CPAWS website at Great Canadian Canoe Quest

Apr. 30 Press Release

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Pitting

Those who have never been in a canoe race this long (6 to 10 hours) may not be aware of the need for "Pit Crews", an expression borrowed from car racing.
Fluid replacement is very important in any endurance sport, particularly on a hot day in July, and with the numerous portages no one wants any extra weight to carry - thus the need for pit crews.
There are only two reasonably accessible locations on this route - one at the Talon Lake put-in and the other at the end of the Campion rapids at Samuel de Champlain park. The latter is also an ideal spot for spectators.
The following photos (click to enlarge) were taken there.

	Spectators (on land) and pitters (standing in the river) awaiting their paddlers.
	Stan Anusiewicz (OMCRA Past President) & Craig Creighton being "pitted". Lynn & Steve Hebert beside them.
	For serious racers it's more of a "coast" than a "stop".
	Pit stops are not just for internal refreshment!!

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2006 Photos - now in the Photo Gallery - Click on "Photos" button above.

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Remember the Colonel By Triathlon? - photo from a start at the Rideau Canoe Club back in the '80s

Paddler Profile: An article relating how one couple recently became hooked on canoe racing.
See Paddler Profile - Steve and Lynn Hebert

Technical Corner:  New feature. See Canoes

OMCRA Membership
Map of Canoe Races
Jock Race Participation Summary
Canoe Triathlons
Check out our Marketplace or click on the "Buy/Sell" button on the navigation bar.

OMCRA Membership
Many occasional racers ask the question "What does OMCRA do for ME for my $40 annual fee"? Perhaps, to paraphrase former US President Kennedy "Ask not what OMCRA can do for you, but what you can do for OMCRA". Well maybe thats asking too much, but lets look at some of the things that OMCRA does do for you:

• Newsletter - Known as "HUT!", is published 4 - 6 times annually. The Nov. 2005 issue is being sent to everyone on our email list as a sample.


• Instruction - trained instructors teach the "sit and switch" marathon paddling style. Believe me, for those with creaky old knees, etc., which make the aesthetically pleasing but rather inefficient J-stroke style very difficult if not impossible, the marathon style can add years to your canoeing life.


• Website - an excellent website omcra.com is maintained by a volunteer OMCRA member. Lots of info about training, races,etc.


• Administrative stuff - every competitive sport requires an organization to provide a framework of standards (in our case, boat specifications, classes, safety guidelines, etc.), to liase with similar organizations, to be eligible for government grants, etc., etc. Not very exciting stuff but has to be done.


• Download, view and print the OMCRA Membership Form

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• Check out the "Results Page" for past race results.
• Is there a photo of you, or someone you know, in the Photo Gallery?
• 2004 Photos courtesy of Robert Postma and William R. Watt
• 2005 photos - go to "Photo Galleries" page.

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CANOE TRIATHLONS

Is the canoe triathlon a dying breed?

Once a very popular event it seems to have given way to the "Adventure Race"
which, however, usually incorporates a canoe/kayak segment.

For the purist, there are still some canoe triathlons around and a few scheduled for 2006 are listed below. If you know of any others, let us know and we'll be pleased to add them to the list.

• Mindemoya Classic - Sun. July 2, 2006
  A great opportunity to visit Manitoulin Island and paddle the beautiful green waters of Lake Mindemoya. Info on Flyer or Registration Form and Course Map
• Stony Lake Triathlon - Aug. 12, 2006
  A long running canoe triathlon taking place on Stony Lake in the Kawarthas as part of the "Storm the Trent" series of Adventure Races. The Storm the Trent website is now fully operational with complete details of all their races.
• Ottawa Riverkeeper Triathlon - Sat. June 17, 2006
  A series of events organized by Somersault Promotions includes this Canoe Triathlon at Ottawa's Westboro Beach in support of the Ottawa Riverkeeper. Details on this and other events at Somersault Promotions.

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