Paddlers wanted for historical re-enactment

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA 1812

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Experienced paddlers required for historical re-enactment for War of 1812 Bicentennial

SAULT STE. MARIE - On July 17, 1812, a flotilla of 70 canoes, 10 bateaux and one ship, the “Caledonia”, mustered at Fort St. Joseph prior to the taking over of Fort Michilimackinac which surrendered hours later without a shot being fired.

This was the first military maneuver in the War of 1812.

This July, a group of paddlers are committed to reliving this moment as part of the Algoma 1812 Bicentennial.

“This re-enactment is an opportunity to be part of the historical commemoration of an event that saw an alliance or gathering of soldiers, First Nations, Metis and coureur de bois,” says Cindy Ellen Crawford, regional program manager, Algoma 1812, an organization specifically created to create and implement Signature Events for the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The canoe flotilla program is led by Mark Crofts, Algoma 1812 Canoe Zone chairperson, Algoma Area Rep., Ont. Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association and Wally Van Dyke, president, Algoma Paddlers.

The event will be in three stages.

Seasoned paddlers will depart from Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday, July 15 and arrive at Richards Landing that night for a traditional encampment, public programming and a coureur de bois themed dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion (open to the public).

Early July 16th, they’ll set out for Whiskey Bay, at the foot of the island, where they’ll camp overnight.

On Tuesday, July 17, they’ll paddle in replica North or Montreal canoes, in costume or regalia, to Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site for the opening ceremonies of the Algoma 1812 Bicentennial Ceremonies at 11 a.m.

“Paddlers don’t have to paddle the whole route but whatever section they do requires advance registration, that they have all the appropriate safety equipment in their canoe and that they have previous paddling experience. The first leg of the journey, Sault Ste. Marie to Richards Landing, will be a challenging eight hour paddle,” says Crofts.

An exciting twist to this paddling expedition is the creation of an Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association accredited 'Voyageur Canoe' training course.

“Sault Ste. Marie has been a hub for local and transcontinental canoe travel for hundreds of years so it is very appropriate that Algoma 1812 and the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association have teamed up to offer training in the unique skills required to pilot the large 36 foot voyageur or “Montreal’ canoes,” says Crofts.

The advanced course is for paddlers who have volunteered to pilot the fleet of Montreal and North canoes which will depart from the Sault on July 15.

A basic canoe training course - open to the general public - will also take place on Saturday, May 26 and there are still spaces available.

Registration forms can be found on the Algoma 1812 website or picked up in person at their office.

Details on a special send-off ceremony for the paddlers will be announced at a later date.

Information on Algoma 1812 Bicentennial events can be found at algoma1812.ca, or by calling 705-949-1812 or dropping by their waterfront office on the river side of the Roberta Bondar Pavilion.
 
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