Paddle Challenge Number Four, Better Than Before

The fourth annual Red River Paddle Challenge was held on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, and in spite of windy, cold, occasionally drizzly weather, was the most successful yet.

What is the Red River Paddle Challenge, you ask? It’s a 44 km. paddling race or challenge, starting at the St. Vital Park in Winnipeg, and winding up at the Half Moon Drive Inn at Lockport. Participants are in canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, any human-powered boat. As Challenge Race Director, Brad Friesen describes it, “if you can paddle it, you can enter the event.”

The Challenge started in 2019. Friesen, who is a paddleboard racer, had travelled across North America to race in such events, but became concerned that there was no such thing in Canada, and particularly, here in Manitoba. And so, the Red River Challenge was born.

As with many things, Covid changed the way the event was conducted in 2021, with contestants starting out at different times to spread them out, but this year, it was back to normal, with one big mass start.

This year’s Challenge featured 120 participants in nearly 100 crafts, with rowers and paddlers from across the province, and many other places, including B.C. and Southern Ontario.

To say this year’s challenge was a success is an understatement. It was obvious that on-site coordinator, Leslie, was organized and the way the event went from start to finish was smooth and seamless. Parking and traffic flow was handled very well. The floating dock worked well at the finish, and Beth and Kylie, from Teulon, assisted paddlers with their watercraft in an efficient, helpful manner.

There were change tents and portolets available, a highly visible first aid team, and even a sports therapist on duty from noon to 4 p.m.

The idea of awarding every participant with a medal on completion of the race was certainly well-received. Not just the top finishers in each category headed home with hardware as proof of their accomplishment.

There is no doubt that The Half Moon is an ideal location for completing the event. There is adequate space for audience, for parking, and for participants to disembark from their watercraft. No other places along the Red River could provide such a perfect setting for this.

Race Director Friesen was very pleased with the success of this year’s Challenge, and so he should be. As he told me, after having to navigate through the difficulties presented by Covid, it was gratifying to see the large numbers of participants in this year’s race.

Friesen is adamant about the fact that although there are a number of paddlers who are competitive athletes, the Challenge is for anyone who thinks they can paddle the 44 kilometres. Many entrants just want to challenge themselves and aren’t concerned about winning. That is why it is called a challenge, not a race. And you could tell by the look of satisfaction on paddlers’ faces at the finish line, all who completed the trip the had met the challenge and had a real sense of accomplishment and pride. And so they should.

Yes, Red River Paddle Challenge Four was even better than before, and I am certain will only get better thanks to the hard work of organizers, and the enthusiasm of entrants.  One more reason why: