Contact: Murray Marchment
Ph: (204) 363-7361
E-mail: murraym@granite.mb.ca
Fax: (204) 363-7204
FYI: The Manitoba Paddling Association (200 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, http://www.mpa.mb.ca/) is the provincial agency concerned with the competitive aspect of paddling (Olympic-style paddling, marathon racing, or dragonboating) in Manitoba.
Marathon Canoe Racing
One of the efforts by Hollow Water First Nation to improve community health is the Wanipigow Marathon Canoe Racing program. Marathon Canoe Racing is under the umbrella of Canoe Kayak Canada (which is the Olympic body), who also include dragon boat racing, whitewater kayak and Olympic style kayak. The Wanipigow program is run by volunteers and many who are still active marathon canoe racers.
Marathon Canoe Racing is, just like recreational paddling, a low impact, high aerobic activity and combines general fitness, technique and knowledge. Races vary between 10km to 200km three day marathons, which include class 3 rapids. The paddlers' ability to read water in various weather conditions has a big impact on the speed of the canoe and is as important as muscle strength, making this a sport where all ages and sexes can excel.
One noticeable difference between recreational paddling and marathon paddling is the paddle design. The shaft of the racing paddle is bent and requires a specific stroke method, the modern canoe stroke. Paddlers push down with the upper arm as well as pulling with the lower arm while engaging the torso. "The bent shaft paddle and the switching of sides is being adopted by more touring paddlers and is found to be more efficient and much less stressful on the body, especially on long treks". The boat is aided in direction by paddlers switching sides rather than "J" stroking to keep momentum. The Ontario Marathon Canoe Racing Association claims that, once the stroke is mastered, people will never go back. For more information, check out their website.
The Wanipigow Marathon Canoe Racing program is not a one race per year program. Its members seek to improve their long-term power and strength, aerobic system, eating habits, but also learn about event planning and, most important, commitment.
Many of these club paddlers have been successful in the North American Indigenous Games, Canadian National Championships and World Masters Games.
In an effort to guide other communities in Manitoba to either introduce marathon paddling or strengthen their current club, Wanipigow has become a training center for many paddlers from all over Manitoba. The Wanipigow Club works in partnership with Sport Manitoba through a special program called "Manitoba Bilateral Initiative". It is through this program communities are able to strengthen their coaching and paddle skills.
One major event the program has undertaken is in the preparation of athletes for one of the largest International events in North America, the General Clinton 70 Mile Canoe Race in Cooperstown, New York. This race is a world-wide acclaimed event in which teams complete the 70 miles in an average of 8 to 9 hours.
The second major event in 2006 was the Canadian National Canoe Championships held in Mattawa, Ontario. The 15 Manitoba athletes entered categories from youth divisions of Bantam up to Masters. Manitoba was the highest attending province and 2nd only to the host province of Ontario. Each paddler won a medal and some winning multiple medals.
One of the highlights showcasing the benefits of the Manitoba Bilateral Program was the presentation of the top points winner at the Canadian National Competition: Dylan McKinnon of Manitoba tied in top point honors with a seasoned paddler from Nova Scotia.
At the local level, Hollow Water sees many assets for all communities in Marathon Canoe Racing, especially health benefits (including prevention and rehabilitation). The sport provides an excellent choice for people seeking healthy lifestyle opportunities.
If you have further questions regarding Marathon Canoe Racing in Manitoba,
please contact:
Murray Marchment, Marathon Canoe Racing Coordinator at (204) 363-7361
murraym@granite.mb.ca.
Other sources:
(1) Ontario Marathon Canoe Racing Association (OMCRA). 2005. OMCRA - Our
Sport. http://www.omcra.com/sport.html.
Accessed 01/11/2006.
Figure 1: Winter view from the Marathon Canoe Racing Centre onto
Lake Winnipeg. Photo by A. Kirch
Figure 2: Racing canoes waiting for paddling season. Photo by A.
Kirch.
Figure 3: Marathon Canoe Racing Centre workshop. Photo by A. Kirch.
