Paddlers raise funds for Muskoka Watershed Council

BRACEBRIDGE - The second ever Great Muskoka Paddling Experience was certainly full of them.
From the beautiful, calm morning skies that churned ugly in a heartbeat to an escort from the Lady Muskoka, paddlers from all across the region, the province and even beyond the Oct. 6 experience gave everything to the senses.
“Everybody really had a great time; I’ve heard nothing but the best comments from everyone I’ve spoken to,” said event organizer Sandy Schofield. “I was a bit worried when that heavy rain started and I think that made it a bit of a challenge out there but everyone’s really happy with how it went.”
The paddling experience is a fundraiser for the Muskoka Watershed Council and now in its second year, it’s already seeing some growth. Rebecca Willison of the council said the first year drew about 80 people in about 50 canoes or kayaks. This year, that ballooned to more than 70 boats and more than 100 people.
“There’s a lot of die-hard paddlers that came from all over the province,” she said, adding one group of cottagers from as far as British Columbia also took part. “This year too we added several new categories and there were so many different types of kayaks, canoes and equipment that we made up categories this morning too.”
People hit the river by Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge, setting off on either a 10 or 18-km paddle of Lake Muskoka Saturday morning. Schofield, his volunteer crews and the paddlers came to shore in peaceful climes but as the 18-km paddlers were about to set off, the skies turned vicious enough with pelting bursts of rain and blustery winds that reached upwards of 30 km an hour.
“We had to use every inch of strength there a few times to keep her straight,” Voyageur canoe in the field and were one of the first to cross the finish line. “Everyone heard we were coming back so no one brought theirs (Voyageur canoe).”
This year stand-up paddle boards were welcomed into the fold and four competitors did the 10 km portion on their feet. Gander Dawaststgerna said he only just began paddle boarding earlier this summer from his home near Toronto and was immediately hooked.
“I had never paddled before and knew not a whole lot about it; a friend got me hooked on this and now I think I can huck it (keep up) with anyone,” he said, smiling ear-to-ear after his gruelling 10 km jaunt. “With events like this allowing us in now too, the sport is getting a lot more attention and there’s more for us to take part in.
“It’s a tough workout this way and if worse comes to worse and the wind gets too strong, you just kneel down a bit but that was a great day even if I was getting blown around a bit,” he added.
Andrea Ross from Skeleton Lake did the paddle in her 17-foot fibreglass sea kayak again this year, and although some chilly fingers clasped her paddle, a warm smile could not be erased from her face afterwards.
Last year was really nice and sunny, this year was certainly much more of a challenge, but I met some good paddling buddies out there to keep me company,” she said, adding one thrill was joining the Lady Muskoka and paddling in her wake as she toured the lake and river, sailing right by Annie Williams Park with a toot.
Bracebridge Councillor Steve Clement acted as a volunteer and a tour host to the paddlers and their kin, driving the Santa’s Village trolley up and down the main street and the common tourist locations to show them off.
“Everyone was really impressed with the downtown and our falls,” he said. “Events like this really help generate a lot of traffic and I think people were really impressed with how well it was all organized.”
Proceeds from the event are still being calculated, but funds will be given to the Watershed Council for its projects. For more information, check out www.muskokaheritage.org/mwc/

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