Come Hell or High Water Race - Pettawawa-May 9 2009. Help us establish a high water record!Racers and Spectators Wanted: Come Hell or High Water Whitewater Race on the Petawawa River
Full details on
www.liquidlore.com/petrace/petrace.html With rivers still flush with springtime flows, over 30 whitewater kayakers, canoeists and even a few local raft companies are expected to tackle the whitewater rapids of the Petawawa River in the inaugural Come Hell or High Water Race on May 9, 2009.
Known in the paddling community as "The Town Run" of the Petawawa, paddlers will race the clock, and each other, competing for the top spot. The racers will launch into river just above the first - and largest - rapid known as Railroad (found off of Portage Rd. on Wilson Ave) and will cross the finish at Catwalk Rapid (Centennial Park, below City Hall) covering roughly one-kilometre of Class III and IV rapids in approximately five minutes.
There is great playboating, spots for spectating, free camping right at the river's edge, and easy to combine with an Ottawa or Upper Petawawa Run. Check the
www.liquidlore.com site for details on all of this.
Why it is important:
The Petawawa River is currently being considered and assessed as a site for a hydro project. A weir / penstock and and diversion dam which will effectively dewater the best rapids on the river, sucking river water via a large tube and putting it back it further downstream. This would certainly have a dire impact on the quality whitewater on the Town Run section leaving only one significant rapid at most flows.
The Petawawa River is a gem. It is one of the few remaining whitewater rivers in ?southern? Ontario that remains largely untouched; free of major dams, and any major industries as it flows from the heart of Algonquin Park. Let?s ensure that the recreational value of the river is more visible, and recognized by the general public.
More so, it is important to demonstrate that the river has recreational value to the general public at all water levels, conditions and temperatures.
I'm not asking for letters, angry e-mails or online petitions. Im asking you to come and paddle a beautiful river, with fellow whitewater enthusiasts.
For more details on the damn construction projects google:
I Speak For Canadian Rivers
Black Bay Ratepayers Association
Phillip Compas (AKA PHITTY on Bboatwerks.net)
Can be reached at p_kompass@hotmail.com
