Forty one paddlers showed up at Senobe Aquatic Club, Lake Banook, Dartmouth on the morning of Saturday September 8. The reason, The Fred Lynch Canoe Race, the last official sanctioned marathon race of the year. In addition to traditional sit down marathon and recreation classes seven ICF paddlers arrived for The Arthur Weston Canoe Race,a tradition on the Dartmouth Lakes for years.

The day was sunny and warm with light southerly winds. The combined start proved to be exciting and challenging with 20 boats on the line. Within minutes packs were forming as compeitors settled on the selected strategy of the day, looking for that all important side wash or that moment too jump a wave and pass a boat.

The shorter races were made up of laps around Lakes Banook and Micmac (8 or 12 km), where as the pro classes raced to the end of Lake Charles and back, a 16 km race including two 460 m portages. Following the race an excellent chili feast was offered up to the paddlers followed by awards. The organizers would like to thank all racers and volunteers who participated, including the rescue boats operated by Ralph Ricard, Sarah Conrad and Paul Bowie and the chefs par excellence, Sherry Archibald and Jean Marien.