Canoe the Nonquon

Polish up your canoe and get out the paddles, it’s Canoe the Nonquon time again.

Saturday June 6 marks the 41st running of this popular event and once again it promises to be a great one.

First run in 1969 it is the longest running canoe race in Ontario and attracts participants from all over the province.
There are 12 levels of competition, from recreation to serious race categories, including the expert C1 and C2 classes. You don’t have to be an expert canoeist, just get all your gear together and enter the recreation class.

The race is also divided into two lengths, the 11 mile (18 km) river section only or the 16 mile (26 km) river and lake event.

The faster canoes complete in the event in less than three hours whereas the more leisurely participants take more than four hours for the 16 mile trip.

Last year’s winning time was set by Craig Creighton and Kris Archibald in 2:17:40, while Kyle Iltgen and Jake Eppel in the under 14 class, took first place in their age class by completing the river section in a time of 3:09:35.

Canoe the Nonquon first took place in June 1969 as a fundraiser for the newly created Scugog Shores Museum. In January that year Bill and Claudette Brock decided to organize a Historical Society in this community. They contacted numerous interested individuals and shortly afterwards, the Lake Scugog Historical Society was formed.

At the first meeting as a result of the donation of a heritage log cabin, Bill and Claudette initiated the idea of establishing a Museum and in order to support the museum, a fundraising project was needed. The Brocks set about organizing the Canoe the Nonquon. The rest is history.

Those who have paddled the event before offer loads of advice for beginners, some advice is humorous, some is serious. Annette McDonald and Amy Sleep have been regular participants in the event for several years. They finished 3rd in last year’s women’s class with a time of 4:52:01, not quite as good as their 2nd place 2007 time of 4:41:42 time.

Tips include don’t drink a large quantity of liquid before starting and always take along sunscreen and some form of bug repellant such as DEET or Avon ‘Skin so Soft.

Registration takes place at the Latcham Centre on Friday night from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m or on race day, Saturday June 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Registration is $40 per canoe or kayak, but entrants are encouraged to get sponsors. Prizes are awarded for the entrants who get the most sponsorship money.

All proceeds go to the Scugog Shores Museum to support its numerous programs. More information can be found at www.scugogshoresmuseum.com, or call the Museum at 905-985-3589.

By Paul Arculus
Focus on Scugog