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Canoe to the Sea-1994

Nova Scotia's premiere Marathon Canoe Race was held on the Shubenacadie Lakes System on July 9th.A major change from past years was the reduction from a 2-day to a 1-day race.The new format proved favourable with 54 paddlers registered,despite an all day drizzle which left the uninitiated at home,no doubt reading about canoeing exploits.From the 35 km of the Pro Class,the 27 km of the Stock class,the 8 km Recreational Class and the 3 km Lions Club Cup,the race offered a challenge to all.

The awards ceremony and barbecue were held at the Fairbanks Centre,adjacent to the finish line on the Historic Shubenacadie Canal.Here the Canal Commission hosted the racers to food and drink and made available the grand hall of the center for awards and closing ceremonies.Here,in the shadow of an authentic birchbark canoe slung high overhead,the awards and prizes were presented.

The Canoe to the Sea Society wish to thank the sponsors and many volunteers who helped make the event a success.In particular,a special thanks to The Trail Shop,Province of Nova Scotia,Moosehead Breweries,Shubenacadie Canal Commission,Marathon Canoe Association,Power Vac Services and Country 101.In addition,the Shubenacadie Lions Club are to be congratulated on their efforts in running the Lions Club Cup Challenge on the Shubenacadie River at Shubenacadie.

The Canoe to the Sea Society look forward to the 1995 racing season and hope to see as many canoeists out as possible.The overall standings for this years race are as follows:

PRO CLASS (C2)

1..Doug & Steve McAleer3:24:04

2..Tim Schaus,Paul Vigneau3:45:24

3..Doug Archibald,Ross Denman3:54:36

4..Dave & Louise Lewis3:59:28

5..Dale MacLeod,Martin Grant4:31:57

PRO CLASS (C1)

1..Mac Carson3:55:25

2..Lawson Fraser DNF

MIXED RECREATION

1..Lawrence & Margaret Benjamin0:59:02

2..Mike & Hilary Chisholm1:06:20

3..John & Joani Smith1:09:35

MIXED RECREATION CONT.

4..Jim & Rita May Munro1:15:46

5..Jane Napter,Joan Munro1:26:48

MENS RECREATION

1..Mark Cole,Jason Veinot0:56:02

2..Glenn Sylvester,Adrian Erkelens1:02:43

3..George Carmichael,John Munro1:04:36

4..Grant Gordon,Charles Hamilton1:05:50

WOMENS RECREATION

1..Cheryl Veinot,Heather Cole1:15:33

MENS STOCK

1..Matt Patterson,John MacCormick3:01:44

2..Pat McCabe,Austin Roberts3:07:46

MIXED STOCK

1..Alan & Nicole Billard3:10:28

2..Evan Young,Jean Peters3:12:32

LIONS CLUB CHALLENGE

1..Greg Carter,Mike Dowling 27:00

2..Boyd Stewart,Greg Gilroy27:31

3..Dave & Neil Manning30:11

4..Wayne Graham,Rudolph Morris38:37

5..Wayne Pettipas,Dave Miller39:34

6..Willie Courtney,Sylvia Mudge42:00

The 1995 Canoe To The Sea will be held in conjunction with the Atlantic Championships this year and will be staged on July 15th and 16th.

MERSEY RIVER CANOE CHALLENGE

The 1994 Mersey River Canoe Challenge proved once again to be a success.The day started with thunder, lightening, and heavy rain.Only two hours before the race start, the Queens Co. Search and Rescue Organization were called away on a search.However, they managed to spare us several safety persons.Together with the Ameteur Ham Radio Club, these people provided excellent radio communication and checkpoints. Keeping safety foremost in our minds and with the length of the races, we depend heavily on their visiblity and rescue skills.The rain ceased,all posts were covered, and the race was underway.There were a total of twenty-two boats entered with fifteen canoes and one kayak in the 15 mile competitive course and seven canoes in the 5 mile recreational course.The overall standings were as follows;

Recreational Class

1stDave Manthorne/Dave Kelly00:49:55

2ndJeff Levy/Jim Hatt00:50:11

3rdAlex Doggett/Craig Doggett00:50:46

4thEric MacMillan/Phil Shannon00:53:46

5thWayne Cole/Dave Wong00:59:09

6thCarelle Veinot/Heather Cole 1:01:02

7thLisa Arthur/Meikka Arther 1:20:22

Kayak Class

1stMartin Huntley 2:32:10

Stock Class

1st Ross Denman/Peter Nixon2:01:00 after buoy 02:19:37

2ndLawson Fraser/Richard Mckinnon 2:09:37

3rdAllen Billard/Shirley Melanson 2:15:08

Comp.Rec. Class

1stMark Cole/Jason Veinot 2:19:13

2ndTerry/Allen Hatt 2:23:54

3rdDonald Croft/Dave Andrews 2:31:56

4thWayne Sullivan/Kevin Lantz 2:33:36

5thBarry Anthony/John Anthony 2:44:51

6thGeorge Brady/Adrian Brady 2:51:33

7thPeter Lavender/Frank Oickle 2:58:29

Pro C-2 Class

1stTim Schaus/Paul Vigneau 2:09:59

2ndJeff Crawswell/Bernard Bousejour 2:12:17

3rdDoug Archibald/John Gillies 2:15:32

4thJohn MacQueen/Evan Young 2:17:13

5thLouise & Dave Lewis 2:18:24

Tentatively,the 1995 Mersey River Canoe Challenge will be held Sunday,July 2.In closing, we want to thank the marathon association,sponsors,volunteers and participants for the support they have given us in organizing this event.

Louise & David Lewis

THE FRED LYNCH MEMORIAL CANOE RACE

An eager group of paddlers assembled at the south end of Lake Banook on the morning of September 10th,1994.The day was clear with a light breeze.John MacCormick has organized and staged this event for the past number of years and has done a commendable job.His primary goal being to marry paddlers from the sprint and marathon worlds of paddling in a common race,he has never had a lack of particpation from either group.As for this particular Saturday morning both parties were well represented.

The course included paddling both Banook and MicMac Lakes and then portaging to Lake Charles.It was on this portage that the most fit athlete excelled.One not only had to display immense endurance for the mile run but also had to be able to dodge flyng baseballs.Those unsuspecting ball players were not so forgiving after the seventh or eighth team portaged through the game they were playing.We decided to give the ball field a wide berth on the portage back into MicMac Lake after making a loop at the far end of Lake Charles.The rest of the course was uneventful except for an upset in the canal.At any rate we did not take first or any position close to it but we did have a good time.

Finishing in their normal strong first place position were Tim Schaus / Paul Vigneau (pro) and Ross Denman /Jean Marian (stock).Also Kevin & Tim Lynch (sprint) and Allan Billaird/Shirley Melanson(mixed stock) took first in their respective classes.All participants were invited to an awards banquet decorating the "Paddlers of the Year" and a bowl of chili and refreshments.Overall the Fred Lynch Memorial Canoe Race continues to be an excellent season ender and we look forward to next years race.

10th Annual Oxford Parks and Recreation

"Spring Thaw Canoe Race"

It was a cold and rainy May 7th,1994 but that didn't stop the enthusiastic "Expert"canoeistsfrom entering one of the first races of the canoe season.Ten brave canoeists took to the fast waters of the River Philip in Collingwood,their destination ,the finish line in Oxford.The somewhat rough waters of this river provided a challenging but exciting 20 mile excursion from start to finish for the competitors,all of whom finished the race with good times.

While the "Expert" racers completed their 20 mile trek,the "Fun" racers were just beginning.The weather shifted a little in the favour of the participants for the "Fun Run",however,it was still quite windy.The 30 participants entered their canoes at Spencer's Corner in River Philip,with anticipation of the race ahead of them.Although this race was only 10 miles,it still provided for some rigorous maneuvers throughout the course.All participants finished the race,albeit a little chilly.Pizza and pop warmed them up and lots of draw prizes and awards rounded out this most exciting Spring event.

11th Annual "Spring Thaw Canoe Race"will be held on May 6,1995.More information can be obtained by contacting the Town of Oxford Parks and Recreation Commission,P.O.Box 49,Oxford,Nova Scotia,B0M 1P0,tel.#(902) 447-2189.

Please see the attached results.

Yours in Canoeing,

Heather MacDonald

Recreation Director

FUN RUN RESULTS

1.Ross Hunter & Peter Glennie50:07

2.Graham Ripley & John Bushen53:34

3.Patrick Allen & Anders Martenson56:54

4.Sidney Glennie & Kathy Beaton59:18

5.Paul Serwood & Greg Murphy1:00:09

6.Douglas Hunter & Beverly Hunter1:02:58

7.Brian Billard & Terri Billard1:04:47

8.Gary Pettigrew & Brad Nix1:06:24

9.Jake Cloney & Jamie Hasson1:06:41

10.Chris Wild,Ty & Cole,Joyce Wild1:08:04

11.Don Hill & June Hill1:08:09

12.Marty Rose & Janet Rose1:10:10

EXPERT RUN RESULTS

1.Tim Schaus & Paul Vigneau1:41:28

2.Earl O'Blenis & Joe O'Blenis1:51:42

3.Lennie Boyd & Bill Tower1:56:10

4.Tom MacKay & Ian Webb2:05:10

5.Jeff Smith & Ben Smith2:10:35

The P.E.I. Red Cross Relay

Run-Canoe-Bike

Now becoming one of the biggest races in the Maritimes,the P.E.I. Multi-Sport Relay attracted 207 teams this summer.Each team was made up of 2 runners,2 paddlers and 2 bikers.In total,the event takes over 2 hours,on water and over clay roads and meadows,with the proceeds going to water safety in the province.

Held in late May of every year,the idea is to raise money through sponsorship and pledges,however there have been so many teams that the entry fees of $120/team contribute a great deal to the charity.

A Nova Scotia team won the event.Made up of Don Buell and Allan Billard (paddlers),Jim Guy and Dan Power (bikers),both of Cape Breton and runners Dan Hennigar and Peter Beazley.They led from start to finish.

Nova Scotia paddlers have often led their team to victory over the history of the event,as the 10km canoe leg is a vital factor.Many a good team of cyclists and runners has lost valuable time due to the fact that their canoeists have not had a chance to train enough in the early spring.This is a particular problem for P.E.I. teams,where many of the Island's rivers are ice bound until early May.In the past,a Halifax team with paddlers Jeff Houser and Steve Gallant won three relays.

If you are interested in entering a team in the 1995 Red Cross Relay,contact Doug Achibald or Allan Billard in February for an entry form.

1994 N.S.M.C.A. Paddler of the Year

A series of races were designated "points" races.They were The Mersey River,Canoe to the Sea,Nictaux,and the Fred Lynch.The purpose of the points system is to encourage and reward repeat participation.Points are awarded on an individual basis where paddlers accumulate points regardless of whom they paddle with and what class they enter in.There is a male and female category with the points being awarded as follows:1st place-50 points

2nd place-40 points

3rd place-30 points

4th place-20 points

5th place -10 points

The 1994 "Paddlers of the Year" are Shirley Melanson and Ross Denman with total points of 110 and 180 respectively.Both were awarded trophies at the season ender,The Fred Lynch Race.Congratulations goes out to them.The following is a season tally for all the other members of the association.

NAME MERSEY CTS NICT. FR. LYNCH TOTAL

Matt Patterson5050

Nicole Billard5050

Cheryl Veinot5050

Heather Cole504090

Mark Cole505050 150

Jason Veinot505050 150

Lawrence Benjamin50 20 70

Margaret Benjamin50 50

Mac Carson5050

Lawson Fraser4040

Doug McAleer5050

Steve McAleer5050

Tim Schaus5040 50140

Paul Vigneau5040 50140

Doug Archibald3030 40100

Ross Denman50305050180

Dave Lewis10203040100

Louise Lewis1020 30

John Gillies304070

Shirley Melanson303050110

Jean Marian5050100

Kevin Lynch40 40

Tim Lynch40 40

Darrell Humphry30 30

Ken Farmer30 30

Don Evans20 20

Glen Sylvester4040

Adrian Erkelens4040

George Carmichael30 30

MERSEY CTS NICT. FR.LYNCH TOTAL

John Munro3030

Grant Gordon2020

Mike Chisholm4040

Hilory Chisholm4040

John Smith3030

Joani Smith3030

Jim Munro2020

Rita May Munnro2020

Joan Munro1010

Jane Napter1010

Marian Grant1010

Dale MacLeod1010

Dave Manthorne5050

Dave Kelly5050

Jeff Levy4040

Jim Hatt4040

Alex Doggett3030

Craig Doggett3030

Eric MacMillan2020

Phil Shannon2020

Wayne Cole1010

Dave Wong 1010

Martin Huntley5050

Peter Nixon5050

Richard McKinnon4040

Terry Hatt4040

Allen Hatt4040

Donald Croft30

30

Dave Andrews3030

Wayne Sullivan2020

Kevin Lantz2020

Barry Anthony 1010

John Anthony1010

Jeff Craswell4040

Bernard Bousejour4040

John MacQueen2020

Evan Young2020

John MacCormick5050

Alan Billard30503050160

Charles Hamilton2020

Todd Hatt3030

The New Glasgow Lobster Supper Race

The final event of the PEI race schedule,an upstream race from North Rustico to New Glasgow,was won by island farmers Austin Roberts and Pat McCabe.Second overall went to Allan Billard and Glennis Williams,who took the mixed class.All entrants were in stock boats.The event is sponsored by The New Glasgow Lobster Supper Restaurant.They host a special seafood dinner and award ceremony after the race.

It's a good question whether the paddlers attend for the sheer joy of racing or just for the excellent meal!It was the 13th running and the organizers look forward to larger numbers,leading up to a special 15th anniversary.

PETITE RIVIERE BOAT RACE

April 23,1994 was a sunny day with a cool breeze.The Petite Riviere was running fast and water temperatures were frigid.However,these conditions did nothing to stop the 50 competitors from launching their boats and participating in the Petite Riviere Boat Race.An annual event that is organized by the Michelin Tire Active Living Committee,the race has proven to be a success every year it is staged.As evidenced by the overwhelming registration ,the race is an excellent season opener and has something to offer for every kind of paddler.We hope that this kind of event continues as the organizers trully do a great job putting it on and the attendance is extraordinary.The standings were as follows: KAYAK CLASS

CREWELAPSED ELAPSED OVERALL

TIME SECT. 1TIME SECT. 2TIME

1Alex Liot43:04 21:10 1:04:14

2Mathew Cameron48:1125:131:13:24

3Robin Dave49:4225:241:15:06

TANDAM CANOE CLASS

1Curtis Hynick41:59 22:34 1:04:33

Victor Wareham

2Martin Huntley42:38 22:24 1:05:02

David Lewis

3Rick Mosher43:03 22:16 1:05:19

Craig Hyson

4Al Fountain44:23 22:11 1:06:34

Al Wilson

5Collin Mann44:22 23:17 1:07:39

Glen Gill

6Steve Newton41:0326:391:07:42

Louis Hachey

7Dave Whynott44:42 23:37 1:08:19

Lisa Whynott

8Lawrence Benjamin 45:48 23:56 1:09:44

Margaret Benjamin

9Don Williams45:0425:491:10:53

Robert Williams

10Bob Todd47:1424:561:12:10

Rubby Todd

11

Richard Joudrey47:3225:071:12:39

Paul Casey

12Mike Howard 47:3025:161:12:46

Jeff Purdy

13Patrick Ramiere49:1424:591:14:13

Terry Greening

TANDAM CLASS CONT.

14Dave Carr48:2425:521:14:16

Terry Brown

15Andre D'Entremont48:4625:471:14:33

Dale MacKenzie

16Rob MacNaughton51:3326:361:18:09

Bruce MacNaughton

17Natalie Leonard47:5930:141:18:13

Sandra Aylward

18Cecil Maloney53:0925:321:18:41

Mike Levy

19Thane Smallwood55:5125:251:21:16

Mike Oland

20Dave Silver54:2427:351:21:59

Ken Silver

21John Manzer55:5227:291:23:21

Heather Greenough

22Carrie Bernard49:4035:201:25:00

Paul Robichaud

23Mike Mullally56:2833:141:29:42

Mike MacDonald

SINGLE CANOE CLASS

1Paul Newton 1:02:17 31:201:33:37

A Message From the President

Dear paddlers,

Another season has come and gone and here we are awaiting the coming canoe season with anticipation.At the time of writing this note the uncommonly mild January day has me thinking of a paddle on the Mersey.However,I have other things to occupy my time,one being this newsletter.

The summer of 1994 proved once again to be successful as evidenced by the increased attendance at the races.It appears participants are getting a taste of the racing bug and are coming back for more! This is great as the important issues here are to promote our natural waterways while partaking in some good old fashioned competition and comaradery.These races also send a message to other would be marathoners and lets them know that yes,there is indeed a body of paddlers in the province who like what I like - paddling competitively.

Some issues that have arose as a result of the annual meeting in October include hosting the Atlantic Championships.In the past,the New Brunswich Marathon Canoe Association has always staged this two day event.Also our membership has expressed a desire to compete in tri-athelons involving a canoe leg.A meeting with the provincial tri-athelon association will be scheduled in February.We still want to arrange a skills clinic this season,hopefully enlisting a pro paddler from either New Brunswich or Quebec.Although clinics have not been too well received they are necessary to improve on technique.

August,1995 proves to be a month filled with intense paddling for any avid competitors in the eastern part of the country.Peterborough Ontario will be the site of the 1995 Canadian Marathon Championships on August 19th weekend.The following weekend (August 26th) the U.S.Nationals will be staged in upstate New York.Finally on Labour Day weekend the annual running of the Classique in Shawinigan,Quebec rounds of three weeks of competition.

I hope you enjoy this years newsletter even though it is somewhat late in getting out.Hopefully,reading it will ease the mid-winter blues and help instill some out of season training in preparation of the upcoming season.Goodbye for now and we look forward to seeing you on the water in '95.

Sincerely

David Lewis

Sheet Harbour Canoe Race

A cloudy day with light winds set the stage for the annual seven mile canoe race on Sheet Harbour August 20,1994.As always,the Sheet Harbour Voluntary Fire Department organized an excellent competition that started and ended at the Lions Club playground.A morning of good paddling was concluded with the awards presentations at the Fire Department.The final standings are as follows:

17 Years and Over 16' Max.

1.Trevor and Joe Murphy 1:05:32

2.Derick Owen and Cliff Gillis 1:18:18

Mixed-17 Years and Over 16' and Over

1.Jerry and Kim Beaver 1:20:31

2.Mary Ann and Jamie Owen 1:36:09

16 Years and Under 16'Max.

1.Nicholos MacDonald and Benji Parks 1:33:15

2.Byron Henry and Steven MacDonald 1:35:59

Open Class Max. 18'

1.Colin Brien and Ross Denman 0:53:08

2.Doug and Kristoffer Archibald 1:04:10

Father and Son Class

1.Joe and Chris Snooks 1:05:37

2.Roger and Kyle MacDonald 1:18:13

3.Barry and Darcy Henry 1:34:00