June 2013

MUSKOKA RIVER X: SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR NEW TEAMS!!!
We are pleased to announce that we have a few new spots available for teams who wish to race the Muskoka River X on Saturday, September 14, 2013.  Register Now!  Only a few extra spots available, so, if you’ve been thinking of racing the mighty MRX, now’s your chance.  Don’t delay.  These spots are sure to fill up quickly.

BIG EAST RIVER X
We want to send a warm Thanks to everyone who supported the inaugural Big East River X. The event was a great success and we look forward to hosting it again next year; making it an even better experience for everyone.  Check out the Big East River X 2013 Results.

For those who weren’t able to participate, Brad Jennings from Get Out There Magazine was on hand to participate in the 40km C2 Rec: Check out his video race report. Check out our Facebook photo album for images of the day.  Here are a few photos of some MRX paddlers that showed up for the 40km Big East.

 MRX C1 paddler, Steve Varieur arrives in style

 MRX C2 paddler Bob Vincent (R) and his partner Dean Brown.

MRX C2 paddlers Chris Scerri and Dave Peacock

MRX C2 paddlers Peter Dobos and Susan Iori

 MRX C1 paddler Chris Near

 We were very excited to see the race SUPs out for the 40km.  Can’t wait to see them take on the full 128km.  With the likes of Bart de Zwart coming in from Hawaii, it’s sure to be an amazing race.

MUSKOKA RIVER X is picked as one of the TOP 25 ULTIMATE SUMMER ADVENTURES in CANADA for 2013
We are pleased to announce that Get Out There Magazine and KEEN footwear has picked the Muskoka River X as one of the Top 25 Ultimate Summer Adventures in Canada for 2013!  Get Out There and KEEN will be sending Brad Jennings and his partner Nick Schwass to compete in the C2 category of the MRX.  We look forward to Brad’s video race report.

MUSKOKA RIVER X SWAG
If you paddle 128km in 24hrs or less, haul your boat 19 times over 6km of portages, have no resupplies, and have no support team, you deserves to be proud of their accomplishment: You deserve some BLING!
Limited Edition North Face Bionic soft shell jacket with a 60,000 stitch embroidered MRX logo. ($150: medium/large available)

Limited Edition Salus Ungava PFD with custom MRX embroidered logo. ($100: all sizes)

Fully fitted custom pro-style baseball cap with MRX embroidered logo. ($25: s/m – l/xl)

There are limited quantities on all of the items, so, it’s first come – first service. Send an email to mike@muskokariverx.com detailing what you want and we will email an invoice back to you with payment instructions. Your items will be waiting for you at the registration desk on September 13th, 2013.

SMART PHONE RULES UPDATE FOR MUSKOKA RIVER X
As indicated within the Competitor Document teams are encouraged to carry cell phones: Cell phones are yet another safety device that may be of assistance in the event of an adverse event and teams needing to call Race Support for assistance.  Complicating this option is the issue that Smart Phones are GPS-enabled with software that would allow teams to pin-point their position during the race. Doing so goes against the spirit of the race; being that teams will navigate solely by map and compass. In response to the circumstance whereby a majority of individuals have Smart Phones, we will allow smart phones (i.e, iPhone/Blackberry/etc) to be accessible for emergency response needs only. Therefore, teams who wish to carry  their GPS-enabled phones for emergency purposes can do so by carrying them in a waterproof container, turned off.  Prior to the start of the race, the Race Directors will inspect the phones and place a seal over the container marking the phone as unopened.  Should the team need to use the phone for emergency purposes, then the seal can be broken and the phone can be accessed.  Phones will be checked upon arrival at the finish line to authenticate if the seal remains unopened or not.  Teams that have used their phones for non-emergency responses purposes may be subject to a time penalty.  We hope that this adjustment to the rules is a good compromise for those who are wanting to bring their phones. (Note: The competitor document will be updated in the near future to reflect this change.)

RENTALS & GEAR
Racing the Big East River X or the Muskoka River X?  Need something to paddle?  Missing a requirement off the Mandatory Gear List?  Algonquin Outfitters has everything you need to get to the start line.  Not sure whether to rent a Swift Winisk, Temagami or Keewadyin?  Contact Gord (info@algonquinoutfitters.com).  He will give you all the advice you need and make sure that you are properly outfitted for the 128kms of the MRX!

ACCOMMODATION
Need a place to stay over the Muskoka River X weekend?  We recommend the King William Inn.  It is only 600m from River Mill Park (registration & start line): No driving required!  Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your room: Book early because September is “fall colour” time in Algonquin Park and Huntsville’s motels and hotels get booked up quickly with the bus tours.

SPOT TRACKER ~ Huge Sale!
Avantura has been selling and renting SPOT trackers worldwide since 2008.  Avantura is our supplier of SPOTS and our Live-Tracker map.  Now you can get your own SPOT.  Share your adventures with your friends and family and have piece of mind in the event that the unexpected happens.  Our friends at Avantura are offering you a “Muskoka River X Special”.

• SPOT-2
• Free Shipping (valued @ $15.00)
• Free Flotation Case (valued @ $19.00)
• Free 1 year tracking (if activated before June 1/13) (valued $49.99)
• $109.00

Contact Avantura directly at www.avantura.ca or aleks.gusev@gmail.com

Stay tune and keep watching our Blog and website for new and important information as we close in on race day.  We will be preparing some helpful details, such as an information package for spectators, as well as some other advice for racers.  Hope everyone is getting excited and training hard.  See you all in September! Cheers,  Mike and Rob

Competitor Document:  The Competitor Document for the Big East River X has been revised and uploaded to our website. Anyone interested in the Big East River X or who is planning to attend is strongly encouraged to review the document thoroughly: Printing a copy and bringing it with you is highly recommended. Details include registration and starting times/locations, as well as parking, maps, safety plans, mandatory gear, waivers, and more. In fact, reading this document is a requirement of signing the waiver, so, please do so before the event!

Registration:  We encourage teams to register on the Friday evening so you avoid a hectic Saturday morning: The first 25 teams who complete their on-site registration process will receive a fully laminated map of the course; all waterproofed and ready for action. After the first 25 are handed out, you’ll have to do the water proofing yourself.  We encourage you to have your waiver and medical form completed upon arrival; it’ll help you more through registration more smoothly.  Also, please come to the registration desk with your mandatory gear so you can get through gear check smoothly.  Note: If you are a member of the OMCKRA, don’t forget to bring your membership card!  This card will save you the $5 insurance fee.

MRX Salus Ungava Pre-Registration Draw:  Congratulations to Mike Leney of Waterloo (registered in the Family/Rec C2 event): Mike registered using our on-line registration system and will be stylin’ in one of our limited edition MRX Salus Ungava PFDs. Mike: You can pick up the jacket at registration. Limited Edition MRX Salus Ungava pfds and North Face soft shells will also be available at the registration desk should you want one for yourself; you will when you see them.

Where to Stay and Eat
If you’re looking for a place to stay, we strongly recommend the King William Inn. It’s the best “park & paddle” place to stay in town, being only 600m from the start/finish line. If you are looking for a place to stay away in a more secluded setting, we recommend the Tulip Inn. Located on the banks of the Big East River, the Tulip Inn is our half-way point for the 40km Marathon race. Links to both of these establishments are found on our webs site. If you are looking for a place to eat, look no further than the Cottage Waterfront Grill: The best river front patio in town.

Activities for Family and Friends
The weekend looks like it’s going to be great so don’t hesitate to bring your family/friends.  While you’re out paddling, Huntsville has a vibrant downtown with loads of things to do: Shopping, the arts, entertainment, the best in ice cream and chocolates, restaurants and foods for all tastes, an amazing playground for the kids, with hiking trails, athletic centre, and swimming all near by.  Or just hang out in River Mill Park and soak up the sun.  With 2 gyms all within walking distance of the Park, they can get a workout in before your team even gets back.  And don’t forget….Huntsville is the host of the 70.3 Iron Man and a world-class triathlon destination: This means amazing running, biking and swimming.  So, why not make it a weekend!

Also, while teams are out paddling the Big East River X,Algonquin Outfitters will be opening up their fleet of SUPs to those looking to try their hand at this great paddling sport.  And if you’re looking to restock you adventure gear, surf wear and water sports equipment, cloths for the active lifestyle, or even try out a new bike, see Will (the AO Store Manager).  He is sure to have something that you’re looking for, all at a great deal.  Tell him Mike sent you.

Our Sponsors
We would like to thank all of our sponsors who helped make this event happen. Check out our web site for all of our supporters. The Big East River X is a grass-roots event and without their support we never would have gotten off the ground. And if you have a moment, drop into Algonquin Outfitters and give a special THANKS to Rich, Greg, Will and the rest of the AO crew. AO has been a central partner in the Big East and we look forward to working with them as we move forward with the Muskoka River X, coming this September 2013.
See you all on Saturday! Mike and Rob.