Paddling — Flatwater.
Each spring, paddlers gather in St. Andrews West for the Raisin River Canoe Race — a 30 km canoe, kayak, and SUP race that finishes in Williamstown after threading the spring-melt rapids and dam portages of the Raisin.
The race has run since 1973, organized by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority; the 53rd edition in April 2026 sold out before race day.
The brief.
The Raisin River Canoe Race is one Saturday in early-to-mid April, with the date set each year by spring water levels and ice-out. Registration is required in advance through the RRCA.
Outside the race window, the Raisin River through South Glengarry is a small-scale eastern-Ontario river paddle, with rapids and dams that mostly require portaging at non-race water levels. For Lake St.
Francis flatwater, the Charlottenburgh Park boat launch puts canoes, kayaks, and SUPs into the wide St. Lawrence pool — sheltered shorelines but exposed open water with afternoon winds.
The Charlottenburgh Park camping and day-use season (May to October) brackets the practical Lake St. Francis paddling window.
2. places.
- 01
Raisin River
30 km canoe / kayak / SUP race course from St. Andrews West (South Stormont) to Williamstown (South Glengarry), run during the spring melt; rapids and dams to navigate during the race weekend.
- 02
Lake St. Francis from Charlottenburgh Park boat launch
Flatwater paddling onto the upper St. Lawrence pool from the RRCA-managed Lake St. Francis boat launch.
Today's read.
Temperature (6.9°C) below the typical range.
By the book.
- 01The Raisin River Canoe Race is held one Saturday in early-to-mid April during the spring melt; registration is required in advance through the RRCA, and the 53rd edition (April 2026) sold out before race day.Source ↗
- 02The Charlottenburgh Park boat launch operates seasonally (May to October) with day-use access through the RRCA.Source ↗