MUSKOKA RIVER X
By Sheila Ascroft
P
ADDLES not running shoes are
what’s needed for the rugged
Muskoka River X race in Huntsville
Sept. 16–18. There are limited spots
available, so register now.
Considered the world’s longest singleday expedition paddling race, it features
an 80-kilometre sprint, a 130-kilometre
classic course, or the 220-kilometre
Coureur des Bois. Non-stop, unmarked
and self-supported, racers get a
marathon paddle by way of lakes, river
systems and rugged portages.
THE SPRINT
New this year, sprint teams paddle a
80-kilometre course over Stages 1 and 2
of the Muskoka River X Classic (see
below) before ending their journey in
Bracebridge.
THE CLASSIC
Teams paddle two river systems, three
lakes and make 20 portages for 130
kilometres in less than 24 hours. The
Classic is completely self-supported.
There is no outside assistance, no
support teams and no resupplies.
Considered the world’s toughest singleday canoe race — in four stages — the
Classic is not your traditional marathonpaddling event.
THE COUREUR DES BOIS
The River X crew created this
expanded course in 2015. Building on the
heritage of the canal expeditions of the
1800s (see sidebar on page xx), Coureur
des Bois will challenge even experienced
expedition and marathon paddlers.
Teams travel along the expedition routes
of early explorers as they traverse
Algonquin Park east to west from
Whitney to Oxtongue Lake. After an
overnight layover, these teams then
merge with the MRX Classic on Lake of
Bays on day two. Paddling the full northsouth length of Lake of Bays, the Coureur
des Bois will complete stages 1, 2, 3, and
4 of the MRX Classic before returning to
Huntsville. At approximately 220
kilometres in 48 hours or less, the
Coureur des Bois is entirely selfsupported with no re-supplies.
For details: www.muskokariverx.com Φ
Beach Days
and
Playing on the beach, splashing in the water and
snuggling in front of a crackling fire; camping with your
kids makes for a pretty perfect memory. Book your,
“Mom, that was so AWESOME,” camping trip at one of
Nights
The Parks of the St. Lawrence riverside campgrounds.
OTTAWAOUTDOORS | 07
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
www.StLawrenceParks.com
|
Parks of the St. Lawrence