Location: Crysler Park Marina, 8 km east of Morrisburg on Hwy #2

What is a Paddle Poker Run?
A Paddle Poker Run is similar to a car rally except it involves kayaks or canoes. The event will start at the marina, head east past Crysler Beach and Upper Canada Village. It will continue around Ault Island to Nairne Island Beach, located at the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary and then back to the Marina. There will be four check points along the route. At these checkpoints, a sealed envelope will be given to each paddler. These envelopes contain a random playing card and must remain sealed until all participants have returned back to the marina. At the awards banquet, these sealed envelopes are opened and the participant with the best poker hand wins. This event is designed for paddlers of all ages from the beginner to the seasoned veteran.

Who can sign up?
Everyone can sign up for the event! It is for people of all ages. Many families, groups of friends, and paddlers of all skill levels have shown interest in the event, and we encourage everyone to participate.

The Race Component:
The main purpose of this event is to enjoy a day of paddling on the St. Lawrence River. Some may take a few hours to finish the race while others may take the better part of the day. There will, however, be an incentive for those who finish the event in the quickest time. The first 3 paddlers to return back to the marina will win the speed round bonus prize, as well as an additional sealed poker card which he/she can use to better his/her odds of being the grand prize winner.

The Route
The Paddle Poker Run will start at Crysler Park Marina where all participants will be briefed on the rules, course layout and checkpoints. Event staff will be able to field any last minute questions from participants.

The Paddle Poker Run will begin with a shotgun group start at the south end of the marina bay. After exiting the marina breakwall, paddlers will head east along the shore around Cook's point to the East end of Crysler Beach. This will be the first checkpoint. A staff member will hand you a sealed envelope with your first card. The attendant will hand you the card as you pass the checkpoint, so that the participants will not have to exit their kayaks. This first leg is approximately 2 kms. There are drinks and washroom facilities available at this point.

The second checkpoint is only 1.25 kms from the beach. You will proceed past the Pioneer Memorial by Upper Canada Village and past the Guest House to the bridge to pick up their second card. Again, the attendant will simply hand paddlers the envelope marked "Checkpoint Two".

The next card stop is the west point of Nairne Island. This is another beach area where participants may choose to get out and stretch before returning west towards the marina. From the Guest House there are two options to get to check point three. The easier more common route is to head back out of the Village bay around Ault Island then across to Nairne Island. The other option is to continue under the bridge through to Ault Island Road. There, paddlers will have to portage the small causeway, paddle another short stretch, portage again across the bike path, and back into the main body of the River to Nairne Island. This is for the adventurous type hoping to make up some time on the competition. It's your choice! This leg of the event is approximately 3.5 to 4 km depending on your route.

From Nairne Island participants will begin the journey west towards the finish. This is the longest leg of the paddle, which is approximately 5 km. This will be the first time the current will not be working against them. The fourth checkpoint is just outside the marina break wall at the marina beach. From there it's a short sprint to the finish at the north end of the bay, where you will pick up your last card.

BBQ
There will be a BBQ and awards ceremony once all participants have finished. This will take place in the event tent.

Entry Fee
The entry fee per participant is $22.00 and covers dinner, prizes, entertainment, loot package, etc.

If the participant requires rental of a canoe or kayak the fee will be $40.00 this includes all safety equipment, paddle, skirt, delivery and pick-up to the event, etc.

A limited number of kayak and canoe rentals are available at the marina but rental pre-registration is required.

How to Register?

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 12, 2008