This weekend marks the 8th annual Kayak Challenge in Timmins, Ontario. The festival has been ranked as Northeastern Ontario’s biggest festival and North America’s biggest paddling event.
Events this weekend include the 35th Sister Cities Anniversary Celebration, a cultural celebration of the relationship Timmins has with Naoshima, Japan. There will also be wrestling performances from Croww Promotions Max Pro Wrestling MXPW on Saturday and Sunday evening; Young Eagle Drummers and Dancers; hot air balloon rides sponsored by Remax Reality; Rock of Ages puppet show for children; open swim challenge; and free concerts including headlining acts of Helix and Honeymoon Suite; and much more.
Kidd Operations is also celebrating its 50th year in operation with their long time business partners, Levert Group and Bull Powertrain. The three companies are sponsoring the fireworks display Saturday night, and the children’s zone with free games and activities.
Races took place this Saturday from 9 a.m. and with the last race starting at 3:15 p.m. There is approximately $15,000 in cash and prizes available. Races this year include three new races – open plastic boat challenge, open short boat challenge, and open seniors/masters challenges. The returning challenges taking place include the elite, elite recreational, recreational, and celebrity featuring Timmins Mayor Steve Black, as well as novice and children’s challenges.
There are over 122 competitors in the challenges this year from all over Canada and the world.
Daniel Mallet took first place in two challenges along with Richard Demers who also placed first in two challenges. Jessica Demers took first place in the Women’s class recreational elite race. John Liversage and Janet Riopel also took first place in their races. Other first place racers include Jozef Nycz, Carole Delarosbil, Seth Turcott, Samantha Demers, Gail Bailey, Andraya Johnstone, and Dawid Myburg who took first place in the celebrity challenge.
Fourth place in the Elite challenge went to Myles McEachern from Manitoba. Mr. McEachern raced in a wooden homemade kayak. He also had a friend racing with him in a second homemade kayak.
Mr. McEachern stated: “This is my first time in Timmins and my first time at the kayak challenge. I found the challenge when looking online for races in Canada to try out.”
Gail Bailey and her husband from Stouffville, Ontario were competing in two challenges each, and this was their third time coming to the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival in Timmins.
“We definitely spread the word down south but it is a long drive,” she said, adding that the festival is always fun and they compete all across Ontario.
Fireworks start Saturday night at 9:30 pm followed by concerts from Helix and Honeymoon Suite.
