Paddlers brave stormy weather for the annual Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X

Fifty-seven paddlers, some of them Muskoka locals and others visitors from afar, joined together for the annual Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X which launched from the Town Docks at River Mill Park on Saturday, May 26.

Families and friends braved the darker skies as they paddled along the flat waters of Lake Vernon and took the current in the Big East River in either a 40km or a 9km course.

The 40km marathon course is a demanding and challenging course for experienced endurance-seeking paddlers. The 9km recreational course is designed for a social and fun experience for family paddlers or inexperienced paddlers and for those paddling enthusiasts who want to be active on the beautiful open waters of Huntsville.

With stormy weather looming, the event coordinators were not convinced that the day wouldn’t bring lightning and thunderstorms. They made it clear to paddlers to take to the shore if the dangerous weather arrived.

At 8:00 a.m. sharp the 40km Tandem Marathon paddlers met at the starting bouy to begin their race. The 40km Solo Marathon paddlers followed five minutes later. They raced up the Muskoka River to Lake Vernon, past Hutcheson Beach and into the Big East River to Arrowhead Park before turning around to retrace the route back to River Mill Park to finish.

An hour into the race the rain began to pour down, bringing relief to some of the 40km paddlers who were heated by the muggy weather. But the storm delayed the start of the 9km race for two hours. Once the clouds passed and the sun began to shine, the race was on. They paddled from the Town Docks up the Muskoka River to Lake Vernon, around Gallaugher Island and back again.

The fastest time of the day—and in the event’s history—was earned by Vadim Lawrence in the K1 Male High Performance category. He completed the 40km course in just three hours and 28 minutes.

Vadim Lawrence on his way to the fastest time of the day

The Golden Lake Crew, Jennifer and Sebastian Courville from Renfrew County, competed in the 40km C2 Stock Co-Ed category and placed first with a time of 4 hours and 16 minutes. Their two children, Gabrielle and William, cheered them on from the docks. This is the couple’s second year paddling in the Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X and they shared that it was definitely a better year since they have an improved boat as well as an increased knowledge after learning race tips from the community of racers over the last year. “This race is a time where people can meet and come together to be competitive and to learn,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer (front) and Sebastian Courville will cheered on by their children Gabrielle (at left on the dock) and William

There was only one woman competing in the SUP Open category. Kelly Turkstra has been a cottager on Lake Vernon for over 30 years and loves to compete in Huntsville since she is familiar and comfortable on its the waterways.

Kelly Turkstra, the only female SUPer in the event

The next River X race is the Algonquin Outfitters 24 Hours of River X on June 16-17, 2018. Paddlers will race a 10km course, including a short portage, as many times as they can within a 24-hour time frame. Bring your friends and family to cheer them on.