All Posts By

Mike Varieur

Jan 27
0

River X Racing Winter 2016

By | Uncategorized

2015 was a great year!

We would like to THANK everyone who supported our events.  We host the events because we love paddling, we love Muskoka and Algonquin and we love adventure racing.  Bringing the three together and sharing them with like-minded people is special for us.

2015 saw quite a number of people participate in the MRX with very little race experience.  A HUGE shout out to those people who seized the moment and fearlessly jumped into marathon paddling headfirst.  Amazing.  We love that kind of spirit and hope to see more of it in 2016!

Also new for 2015 was 220km of pure expedition paddle race excitement:  The Coureur des Bois had teams traverse Algonquin Park in one day, camp out overnight with only the gear they carried with them and then take on the MRX Classic on day two: A great success that will see more excitement into 2016.

The Ontario Ultra Paddling Point Series was launched this year with over 300 paddlers participating!  What a great showing for ultra-distance paddlers in Ontario and beyond.  Dean Brown was crowned the 2015 Champion. Check out the link for the entire 2015 points standings.  2016 will see the addition of the Kingston-2-Ottawa ultra distance race in August.  The K2O brings OUPPS up to 4 events, each building in distance and culminating with the Muskoka River X in September.  Ontario is quickly becoming the ultra-distance paddle racer’s destination for SUP, Kayak, and Canoeist.  Support OMCKRA and paddle where you live.

Check out all the 2015 results and photos:

Algonquin Outfitters MRX Results

Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X Results

Photos from the 2015 Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X

What’s New for 2016?

Based on your feedback we have made some notable improvements:

  • The Big East River X has an expanded kayak category to better reflect boat classes
  • The Muskoka River X now has a “short course”.  The MRX SPRINT will have teams finish in Bracebridge covering 80km
  • Team can now paddle C2 Rec canoes in the MRX SPRINT.  These are very common sub-17 foot canoes that don’t meet C2 Stock specifications for the MRX Classic.
  • We will be moving to a more reliable GPS tracking system.
  • We are back again for a second year at Hidden Valley Resort for registration and the awards.

Algonquin Outfitters is back for it’s fourth year as Title Sponsor. Honestly, if you need something, just talk to them.  They have everything you need.  And Huntsville Store Manager Nate is a two-time MRX Alumni, so you can be confident you’re getting the right advice.

Need to Rent a Canoe?  Contact Gord at Algonquin Outfitters.  AO has everything you need to train and race in the River X.  Visit our Documents section for AO’s boat rental program.

HandCrafted Canoes is back for their 3rd year as Boat Sponsor.  New for this year HCC is building full carbon Grand Huron 18” race boats.  Designed crazy light and super fast, the Grand Huron will go head to head with other competitors such as Clipper’s WW2, Savage River, and Jenson designed hulls.  The Grand Huron is made in Kitchener, Ontario.  Take a trip and talk to James.  He will build you a custom C2 Stock expedition race canoe that meets specifications for the 2016 Algonquin Outfitters MRX and Big East River X.  HCC is also offering a huge discount to teams that register for the MRX and purchase a Grand Huron before February 29, 2016. Talk to James for all the details.

The full-carbon Grand Huron is our Prize Boat for 2016!

Your 2016 expedition starts here!  

JUNE 18, 2016

Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X 40km marathon race

OR

Algonquin Outfitters Big East River X 9km Family-Recreational race

SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2016

Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Coureur des Bois 220km 2-day expedition race

OR

Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Classic 130km 1-day expedition race

OR

Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X Sprint 80km 1-day expedition race

 Register early and win!

Race both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!

HandCrafted Canoes 18’ full carbon Grand Huron C2 Stock expedition race canoe.

Register for both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!

Accommodation for up to 4 people x 2 nights at the King William Inn.

Register for both the Big East River X & Muskoka River X and you are eligible to win!

A full MRX Swag Package including North Face Bionic Soft Shell, StormTech fleece toque and StormTech tech hat, all with custom MRX embroidery.

What’s included in the MRX fees?

  • You get bragging rights for finishing one of the toughest expedition paddling races in the world!
  • Medals, prizing, and certificates for winners
  • Door prizes open to all participants
  • MRX branded race jersey
  • MRX embroidered StormTech FINISHER tech hat
  • Ranking in the Ontario Ultra Paddling Point Series
  • Post Race Awards Party (voted best post race awards by Get Out There Magazine’s Readers Choice): Live music and our legendary MRX post-race feast in the relaxed atmosphere of Hidden Valley Resort, overlooking beautiful Peninsula Lake;
    • Smokey Bandit BBQ Ribs
    • Chimichurri Marinated Grilled Chicken
    • Baja Spiced Grilled Mahi Mahi
    • Corn on the Cob
    • Salads: House-made Potato / Mediterranean Pasta / Mixed Bean / Garden
    • Dinner Rolls
    • Vegetarian/Vegan Options by Request
    • Pint of ale specially brewed by Lake of Bays Brewery, located just up the road from CP1
  • Full set of Never Tear water & tear resistant full-color topographic course maps
  • Full set of course details and navigation instructions
  • Full-Color vinyl adhesive numbering plates
  • Full-Team race kit with all the supplies you need to get started on your expedition, including a spectator kit with full driving instructions and maps
  • Fully equipped and mobile (land/water-based) logistical event management team
  • Four (4) fully equipped first aid teams (check points)
  • Four (4) fully equipped land/water-based mobile SAR emergency medical teams
  • Police traffic control at high exposure road crossings
  • Mobile emergency shuttles from any extraction point on course to the finish line
  • Hot Tents are each check point and finish line
  • Iridium Satellite (GPS) trackers and emergency transponders: The best trackers in the world!
  • GPS-enabled live tracking map allowing spectators to watch your progress on their computer or mobile device anywhere in the world: The ultimate spectator solution for adventure and expedition racing.
  • Registration, gear check and captain’s meetings all take place inside, in the comfort of Hidden Valley Resort
  • Fees associated with all the various permits, event rentals, logistics needs, and race insurance

Coureur des Bois teams have all of their transportation needs included!

  • Shuttle from Hidden Valley Resort (Huntsville) to Start Line (Whitney)
  • Shuttle from Oxtongue Lake to Dwight (Start of Day 2)
  • Shuttle from Finish Line (River Mill Park, Huntsville) to Hidden Valley Resort (Huntsville)

Sprint teams have all of their transportation needs included!

  • Shuttle from Finish Line (Bracebridge) to River Mill Park, Huntsville

Did we mention that participants are eligible for amazing prizes?

More than $15,500 in prizing and incentives has been won in our first three years!

MRX course statistics

Fastest Overall Hull Speeds, including portaging.

C2 (Tandem Canoe):  9.8 km/hr (2014 – Classic)

SUP (solo):  7.1 km/hr (2014 – Classic)

C1 (solo canoe):  7.4 km/hr (2015 – Coureur des Bois)

K1 (solo kayak):  8.1 km/hr (2015 – Coureur des Bois)

SPRINT

Start / Finish: River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario – Bracebridge, Ontario

Total Distance / Portages: 80 km x 13 portages (approx. 5000m / longest: 1700m)

Estimated Duration: 8 hours to 16 hours

 CLASSIC

 Start / Finish: River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario – River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario

Total Distance / Portages: 130 km x 20 portages (approx. 7000m / longest: 1700m)

Estimated Duration: 13.5 hours to 24 hours

 COUREUR des BOIS

Start / Finish: Whitney, Ontario – River Mill Park: Huntsville, Ontario

Total Distance / Portages: 220km x 36 portages (approx. 11,800m / longest: 1700m)

Estimated Duration: 26 hours to 48 hours

 Sunrise: 06:58hrs                 Sunset: 19:38hrs

Average Daily Temperatures

High: 18.8 degrees Celsius     Low: 6.5 degrees Celsius       Average: 12.7 degrees Celsius

Other Weather Statistics

Average Daily Wind speed: 12km/hr

Average Monthly Rain: 111mm

Average Days with Thunderstorms: 3

Average Days with Fog: 5

Jun 18
0

2015 BIG EAST RIVER X Update

By | Uncategorized

Just a few more days to the first event of the 2015 Ontario Ultra Paddling Point Series that includes the Big East River X 40km event, the North Bay to Mattawa race in July and the Muskoka River X Classic and Coureur de Bois in September.  We hope everyone has been training hard and is ready for some long-distance paddling action this year.  Currently, the water levels on the Big East River are in good condition and the current is reasonable.  The weather looks good but they are calling for stronger winds so you may experience some wave action on the return trip across Lake Vernon.  Please be prepared.

REGISTRATION:  You can still register on-line if you have not done so already.  This will save you a few dollars and make your on-site registration process move along faster.  All paddlers MUST attend on-site registration starting Friday at 3pm until 9pm and then again Saturday morning at 6am to 7:30am.  This is necessary to ensure we have confirmation of who exactly is on-course, receive your waivers/medical forms, and provide you with your boat number, race maps and meal tickets.  We may also need to measure your boat if there are any questions about which class you fit into.  Please don’t wait until the last minute or you risk missing this process and potentially not being able to participate.  Registration is located INSIDE Algonquin Outfitter’s Huntsville store.

PARKING:  Please note that the event that was planned by the Chamber has been cancelled so please feel free to use the public parking lot next to River Mill.  (Currently marked as a No Parking Zone in the competitor document).  Please park in the public parking lots and NOT is the store parking lots.  We have rented River Mill Park on Saturday so please feel free to use this grassy area for pre-race staging.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for reading the Big East River X Competitor Document and fully understand the mandatory equipment needs as per Transport Canada, as well as safety procedures.  This includes everyone wearing a non-inflatable PFD at all times when on the water.  We will review the course, event process and safety procedures mandatory race briefing 30 minutes which all participants are responsible for attending.

See you all this weekend!  The River X Crew….