Sydenham River Canoe and Kayak Race

PLEASE NOTE: Registration can be completed online via Race Roster until Thursday, April 28th at 12:00 pm (noon) or in-person between 10:00 am and 11:00 am on race day.

After being cancelled due to COVID-19, the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and Foundation are pleased to hold their Sydenham River Canoe and Kayak Race on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Canoeists, whether they’re competitive or fun-loving will enjoy the Sydenham River Canoe and Kayak Race, which serves as a fundraiser for the SCRCA’s Conservation Education program.

The race begins on Mosside Road, just west of County Road 79, north of Cairo and features 11 classes and three different race lengths. All classes finish at the Shetland Conservation area on Lambton County Road 2.

This event is co-sponsored by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and its Foundation. Participants are being asked, on a voluntary basis, to seek sponsors for their efforts. The funds raised will be used to help support outdoor education for school children in the St. Clair Region.

For the 7 km races the classes include Recreation, Lazy River, VIP, Touring (the over 50 crowd), and Novice Kayak. The 12 km races include Rec Tandem Men, Rec Tandem Mixed, and Amateur Kayak. The 16 km races include Pro C2 Men, Pro C2 Mixed, and Expert Kayak. The race is sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association. Participants must supply their own canoe or kayak and safety gear.

Race Order and Descriptions:

• 16 km - Pro C2 Senior Men - OMCKRA recognized canoe race (two males)
• 16 km - Pro C2 Mixed - OMCKRA recognized canoe race
• 16 km - Expert Kayak (FK Open) - OMCKRA recognised race (any gender)
• 12 km - Red Tandem Men - OMCKRA recognized canoe race (two males)
• 12 km - Red Tandem Mixed - OMCKRA recognized canoe race
• 12 km - Amateur Kayak (Long Rec Kayak Open) - OMCKRA recognized race (any gender)
• 7 km - Recreation - Canoeists who are just looking to have fun, but feeling a bit competitive
• 7 km - Lazy River - Canoe - Just for fun
• 7 km - Touring - Canoe - Over the age of 50
• 7 km - VIP - Canoe - Board members, staff, media, etc.
• 7 km - Kayak - Only short race option for kayakers

Trophies are presented to all first-place winners and ribbons are given to the second and third place winners in each class. Additionally, the top fundraiser will receive a trophy. Shuttles, race prep, and registration will occur between 10:00 am and 11:00 am with races beginning at 11:20 am. In the event of poor weather, please listen to local radio stations or call (519) 384-0735.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration can be completed online via Race Roster until Thursday, April 28th at 12:00 pm (noon) or in-person between 10:00 am and 11:00 am on race day.

For more information, contact Melissa Levi, Race Coordinator at the Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area at (519) 384-0735 or at mlevi@scrca.on.ca.

PLEASE NOTE: Masks will be mandatory for those participants who wish to use the shuttle service offered between 10 am and 11 am, between the race start and finish locations.

Rowan's Law:

All participants under the age of 26 must read the Concussion Policy pertinent to their age group and sign a waiver on race day stating that the document has been read. A link to each document is listed below.

The Government of Ontario has enacted Rowan's Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, S.O. 2018, c. 1 ("Act), Ontario Regulation 161/19. The Act requires all sports organizations as defined in the Regulation to have a Concussion Code of Conduct. This Concussion Code of Conduct must require participants, as set out in the Act, to review the Ontario Government's issued Concussion Awareness Resources on an annual basis. A participant is subject to a Concussion Code of Conduct for each Sports Organization a participant registers with.

A sports organization must not register an individual who is under the prescribed age in a sports activity unless the individual confirms that they have reviewed the concussion awareness resources approved by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.

Ages 10 and under:

https://files.ontario.ca/mtcs-rowans-law-booklet-ages-10-and-under-en-2019-05.pdf

Ages 11 to 14:

https://files.ontario.ca/mtcs-rowans-law-booklet-ages-11-to-14-en-2019-05.pdf

Ages 15 and up:

https://files.ontario.ca/mtcs-rowans-law-booklet-ages-15-and-up-en-2019-05.pdf