A message from the Battle on the Boardman Race Director: It saddens us to announce that the race will be delayed this year due to the current situation, we are looking forward to future dates and will keep you posted. Please stay safe and we will see you soon!

A Paddler’s Guide to Shelter in Place by Chuck Hewitt

Executive Order 2020-42 Impact on Canoe Training.

The Governor’s Executive Order of April 10, 2020, rescinded and expanded upon her prior order for suspension of activities not necessary to sustain or protect life. Subject to exceptions in the order all people are to shelter in place and basically, restrict physical contact to people only of their own household, meaning people you live with. The new order expires April 30, 2020, at 12:59p.m.
Exceptions include the ability to leave your home or place of residence and travel as necessary to engage in recreational activity. The order specifically refers to canoeing. That is the good news. However, the order also says outdoor activity must include proper social distancing. The bad news is the order does not take into account that bow and stern paddlers in a C2 are more than six feet apart. The DNR on its website, in fact, states that people not of the same household may not boat together. Accordingly, if you are not of the same household it is technically a misdemeanor to train in a C2 with someone not of your household.
The order does not place any apparent limits on how far you can travel to train. But, when you take into account the logistics of spotting cars (you can’t be in a car with someone not of your household) making plans for a town to Mio training run gets complicated. Taken together, C1 training is the most viable option for us while we all ride out this pandemic. Remember, the more everyone follows the rules (not just paddlers) the more likely we can still have a season including the “mother of all races.” I hate the very thought of the Marathon being cancelled. Everyone stay safe!

It is with great sadness I have to make this announcement but due to the current situation we feel this is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the Klondike Challenge that had been postponed to April 18-19, 2020. See you in 2021!! Sincerely, The Oscoda Klondike Challenge Committee

MCRA will waive late fees for 2020 membership due to the uncertainty of this season. However, if a racer did not pay their 2019 dues and wish to retain their MCRA registered  canoe number, then the April 4, 2020 deadline will apply.

Since we won’t have a membership meeting at the Klondike this year we have moved the voting for approval of the 2020 MCRA Race Schedule online. Please take a minute to vote here: 2020 MCRA Race Schedule Approval Voting

MCRA Official Canoe Number Guidelines
Effective Beginning 2020 Race Season

• MCRA members must pay current dues by April 1 or by MCRA annual membership meeting (whichever is later) to retain their assigned number.
• MCRA Lifetime members keep their assigned number. If a Lifetime
• Member is inactive for 10 consecutive years it will result in their assigned number returned to the vacant number pool.
• If an MCRA member keeps their MCRA membership current they are allowed retain their assigned number.
• If a paid MCRA member chooses to change their assigned canoe number they may do so by contacting MCRA membership/ numbers coordinator to choose from a pool of available numbers.
• MCRA members will be limited to one two-digit number
• Any canoe entered in MCRA race must have official font (Arial Black) and color (white) MCRA number. AuSable Marathon numbers are acceptable ONLY if they are the same as the member’s assigned MCRA number. A canoe without a number will be DQ’ed.
• New MCRA members (or non-members) will be provided a temporary number for their first race .
• The MCRA will provide info to purchase MCRA numbers this season, and make the as available as possible for purchase at the races.

Thank you for your cooperation to assist our race directors in timing their events.

The MCRA March Newsletter is now available online

MCRA Board of Directors will be meeting December 8 (moved from 12/1 due to weather) to initiate 2020 racing plans and venues for Michigan. Highlighted in August 2020 will be the USCA National Championships in Newaygo. Make plans to join us for 3 days of competitive paddling.,

Please PM Lynne or email mcra@miracing.com with suggestions for the Board to review regarding our races and organization. It is our goal to continue to develop quality canoe races in Michigan. We want to develop our youth paddlers and respect and reward those who continue to share their wealth of experience and competitiveness in Michigan and other racing around North America.

Congratulations to our 2020 MCRA Board of Directors. Their Annual Board Meeting is scheduled for December 1st in the Grayling area. MCRA members are encouraged to send any suggestions to mcra@miracing.com

Sean Brabant
Tom Cannon
Mike Davis
Rebecca Davis
Chris Hewitt
Cheryl Lucey
Kyle Stonehpuse
Dwight Walker
Austin Weiler
Weston Willoughby
Lynne Witte