Christianne Dagenais of Wakefield, Que. shoots through the McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
SOUTH STORMONT/SOUTH GLENGARRY – With sunshine and a high of 13 degrees, participants for the 43rd running of the Raisin River Canoe Race were met with almost ideal conditions.
But for the 174 boats and 303 paddlers in the 28.3 kilometer race on Sunday, some still got a taste of the fast-flowing, frigid water.
Participation was up from last year, say organizers.
The first test was Devil’s Chute, just east of County Road 22, where many boats and kayaks were either hanging up or scraping off the rocks just beneath the surface.
In Martintown, streets were packed and there were concessions and musicians, as spectators watched paddlers make it through the dam. Some didn’t come through unscathed though as a kayaker was the first to capsize.
Some chose to portage around the dam site.
Then, the McIntryre Rapids, just east of County Road 27, tested many souls with a least one canoe swamping in the rapids.
At the awards ceremony later in the afternoon, coordinator Phil Barnes told the audience that the water was “very similar to last year” as far as conditions and levels.
Many locals thought the river was much lower than in previous years, with no recent rainfall and the winter runoff more-or-less finished.
Barnes says the fastest craft down the river with a “blistering time” of 2:45:40 was the pro-boat duo of Gaetan Plourde and Jeff Brainard from the Perth area.
There were 69 awards given out in various categories. You can find a complete list of preliminary results here.
Click on a photo below to open a gallery of images from the 43rd Raisin River Canoe Race.
A canoeist sticks his paddle in to brace his craft through Devil’s Chute. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
These men looked like they were ready for a boardroom, must less a canoe race, near Devil’s Chute. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
This township firefighter near Devil’s Chute in South Stormont was one of many emergency service workers along the route, ready to spring into action should kayakers or canoeists need help. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Martintown had a fair-like atmosphere with a bouncy castle for the kids and many food options. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
People in Martintown were treated to musical entertainment. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
A kayaker capsizes in the dam in Martintown. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
This kayaker pulls his boat at the the Martintown Dam while a pair of canoeists successfully make it through. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
A pair of canoeists make it through the Martintown Dam. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
A kayaker hams it up for the cameras at the McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
The businessmen are back, this time for a taste of the McIntyre Rapids. They had to bail out their canoe in Martintown after swamping just after making it through the Martintown Dam. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
This kayaker was eating up the rapids near County Road 27. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Heading to the job site in style! Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Sylvie Gauthier of Casselman, Ont. cuts through the water of the McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Spectators had various ways of hanging out to enjoy the Raisin River Canoe Race. These gentleman set up a campsite, complete with comfortable furniture. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
With four kilometers left, for some, it was time to put their feet up. Shortly after the picture was taken, the woman was startled when the boat hit a rock. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
A man bails out his canoe after swamping in McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Christianne Dagenais of Wakefield, Que. shoots through the McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
This man broke out a horn after making it through the McIntyre Rapids. “Shouldn’t you be paddling?” shouted one of the men from shore. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Hold up! A woman tries to slow up and balance the canoe going through McIntyre Rapids. down Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
A kayaker gets splashed in the McIntyre Rapids. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Some people chose some elaborate costumes for their trek down the river. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
Many participants were happy to see this sign in Williamstown. Scenes from the 43rd annual Raisin River Canoe Race on April 19, 2015. The 30 kilometer canoe and kayak race is from St. Andrews West to Williamstown. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)
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