SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PADDLE

August 26 to 28, 2016 in Timmins, Ontario

The countdown is on for kayaking event of the year. No, it’s not the Rio Olympics – it’s the one that you can compete in.

Last year, kayakers from Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Montreal, the U.S. and more flocked to Timmins to The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival.

"John and I came up to your race from northeast of Toronto and were astounded by the phenomenal job the organizers did to provide a first class venue. The race and all events were so well planned out and ran so smoothly. Thank you to all who were instrumental in making this event so fantastic! We will be back next year for sure."   - Gail Bailey

New this year is The Elite Challenge – a physically demanding 32-km race on the Mattagami and Mountjoy Rivers with two 100-metre portages.

Other challenges include:

  • The Elite Recreational Challenge is 16 km in length with no portages.
  • The Plastic Kayak Challenge – a 10-km race using a plastic kayak.   
  • The Open Long Boat Challenge – a 6.5-km race with no portages

  • The Open Little Boat Challenge – a 6.5-km race in a boat 14’4” and under
  • The Novice Challenge – a 5-km race for people with less than 2 years of kayak experience
  • The Seniors (Masters) Challenge – a 6.5-km race for paddlers aged 55+
  • Youth Challenge – a 3-km race for paddlers aged 14 and under
  • The Celebrity Challenge – 3-km race open to invited participants only

Race registration is closes at 4 pm on Thursday August 25, 2016.

In addition to watching you compete, your family and friends can enjoy a mighty Mattagami pontoon boat ride, stand-up paddleboard demonstrations and fun challenge, arts, music, dance, kids fun, leisure tours, amazing fireworks and more.

Take the challenge and sign up today.

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Paddling the painted landscape

A Group of Seven wilderness adventure

WANT A PERFECT CANOEING COMPANION?

These tips will make your pup canoe-ready.

A Journey He Will Never Forget

A National Geographic Adventurer in Wabakimi

POWERFUL ENERGY

Explore Temagami's spiritual sites with the utmost respect.

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Eat, Play, Love: A cycling getaway in the Madawaska Valley

Going solo?

Watch videos on how to paddle on your own.

Heart, spirit and passion

Huskies make dogsledding magical

Kayak Georgian Bay

Experience a guided sea kayak trip on the bay.

Explore and Relax: Ontario Spas for Outdoor Lovers

Thrills, trails and tranquility.

Outdoor Photography Workshops

Learn the best tips and tricks from the pros.

Fear or Fun?

Paddling the mighty Missinaibi.

Wilderness by day, Pampered at night

A perfect way to experience Algonquin.

Want this view?

Hike to the top of the "Giant"

Take a ruff ride

Dogsledding adventure at Haliburton Forest

watch World's top canoeing short film

Shot in Wabakimi Provincial Park

A must-watch video

Ray Mears follows The Path of Grey Owl.

Ontario Ski Getaways

5 must-take ski vacations.

FEEL THE RUSH

At Ontario's dog sled races

Boreal Backcountry

Explore Wild Wabakimi

A Whitewater Awakening

Teaming up on the Brightsands River